Father and son reunited after eight years

The two families, Mashinini and Ntsoele, were united by a young boy who went missing eight years ago.

Sifiso Mashinini (14) went missing in 2009 after he went outside his home to play. He was only six years old at the time.

Meggie Ntsoele, his foster mother, had mixed emotions when the time came for her to hand over to the biological family the son she took in and had raised as her own for the past eight years.

Ntsoele told Kathorus MAIL about how she found Sifiso and how life was like with Mashinini at home as a son.

“I took him home from the orphanage in 2009 and raised him at my home in Everton. He was six years old by that time.

“It was difficult at first to raise him because I didn’t know his background. But still I had to take him in and build him up like my own child. He listens to instructions very well. He is exactly the way I wished him to be,” explained Ntsoele.

Ntsoele discussed the relationship between Sifiso and his brothers and sisters.

“Sifiso has a good relationship with the other children at home. They are like brothers and sisters and we are such a big, happy family.

“Ever since he came I wished to find his family, because I knew his parents were hurt, wherever they were. Unfortunately he was young and didn’t have information that could lead me to his family. And at the same time, I didn’t want to pressure him by asking all sort of questions because I didn’t want him to feel unwelcome.

“In December 2016, when I felt he had grown up enough, I began to ask him some questions that could lead me to his family. He told me that his father used to stay at Siluma Section Ext 7. On Saturday, January 7, I went to report at the police station in Katlehong. The following day, Sunday, January 8, the police phoned to tell me that they had found the biological father,” said Ntsoele.

Ntsoele said they will miss Sifiso as they have been together for a very long time.

According to Palesa Potsane (19), Sifiso’s adopted sister, life will never be the same again without her “little brother”.

“He was like a little brother to me, and we did everything together. He is very honest and likes jokes and would make us laugh. Even though he is such a good soccer player, he is still dedicated to his schoolwork.

“It is painful that we are about to be separated. I feel like crying,” said Potsane.

According to Sifiso, he doesn’t remember what happened when he went missing.

“I think it is because I was still young at that time. I don’t remember what happened on that day. How I ended up with the social workers or my foster parents, I don’t know,” said Sifiso.

Sifiso went on to explain life with the foster family.

“Life was very good at home with my foster family. I feel good that I am going to be reunited with my biological family but sad at the same time that I am going to leave the only family I have known. They have supported me in everything that I did in life and guided me when I made mistakes,” said Sifiso.

He also said he was very happy that he passed his Grade Seven.

“The first thing that I am going to tell my biological family is that I passed Grade Seven. I can’t wait to see how my first day will be like at high school,” he said.

Mbhekeni Mashinini, the biological father, explained what happened when he last saw his son.

“I left the child with my siblings in Siluma Section. It was on Tuesday, if I remember correctly. After I arrived at work the following day, they phoned me and told me that the child was missing. They told me that he went to play outside while others were busy cleaning the house. Because I was unable to focus on my work, I decided to come back and started looking for him. I even reported the matter to the police station in Everton.

“There is nothing that we didn’t do. We prayed, we involved the police and we even went to traditional healers to ask for help. All they could tell me was that he was alive and well taken care of,” explained Mbhekeni.

“We were all worried at home. Even his mother died with a painful heart not knowing where her son was.

“My other four children had painful hearts too, but they were too young to help me look for their brother. After they heard that he had been found, they felt happy that I can bring him home.

“I feel very happy that I have seen my son and that he is alive. What makes me sad is that I won’t be able to take him home with me because of the legal processes that are still to take place before the official handover. My children will feel bad too because they expected me to bring their brother home,” said Mbhekeni.

According to Metja Madubye, the investigating officer at Katlehong Police Station, it was very easy to find the biological parents.

“After the matter was reported at the police station on Saturday, January 7, I woke up the following day, Sunday, January 8 to look for the biological parents at the address I was given. I asked about three people on the street and the third one was from the family I was looking for. He directed me to the father of the child,” said Madubye.

Ntokozo Mashinini (12), Sifiso’s biological sister, said she has never been happier.

“I am very excited that my brother will come home very soon. I don’t remember very much about him, as I was only four when he went missing. But I have heard that I had a brother that went missing,” said Ntokozo.

Capt Mega Ndobe, the communications officer at Katlehong Police Station, said parents must write all the contact information on the schoolbags of their children so that if a child gets lost it will be easy to contact the parents.

Ndobe also explained the procedure that will be followed before Sifiso is handed over to his biological parents.

“This is just a formality for a father to meet the child. The official handover will follow very soon. The DNA test is going to be conducted because we want to make sure we give the child to the right person. If DNA proves that Mbhekeni is the father, then the social worker will sign the documents and then the boy will be handed over. Before then the child will remain with the foster family,” explained Ndobe.