UPDATE: Sangoma reveals abducted boy’s whereabouts
Angry eSikhaleni residents demand police answers over missing albino boy
ANCESTORS have apparently revealed the whereabouts of a dungeon where the missing four-year-old albino boy from uMkhobose Reserve is being kept hostage.
During consultation with a sangoma this week, the healer’s bones revealed that the boy can be found in KwaNongoma, but warned the family to act quickly before he is transported to Mozambique.
A brokenhearted grandmother, Margret Ndaba (67), revealed the information to the Zululand Observer on Tuesday.
‘The sangoma said the boy was still alive and we pray he is right. But even if he is dead, we still want him.
‘At least we will be able to bury him and find closure,’ said Ndaba.
‘We know evil people believe body parts of an albino makes strong muti, but we hope he is not hurt and that we will see him again.’
Maneliswa ‘Mlungu’ Ntombela (4) was reportedly abducted during a church service next to the KwaMpanza rental cottages last Tuesday evening.
According to witnesses, the boy was playing outside with his four-year-old cousin when the alleged incident occurred.
Witnesses said he was kidnapped by unknown men travelling in a silver double-cab bakkie.
The incident has shaken the community to the core, with residents speculating the abduction was related to muti killings.
Adding fuel to the fire, a woman believed to be connected to the boy’s disappearance was arrested last Wednesday, but released the next day.
According to police the suspect was freed owing to lack of evidence.
Community protest
While the family seek answers, outraged eSikhaleni residents voiced their anger in a protest on Tuesday.
Taking a stand against the ‘inhuman act’, hundreds marched to eSikhawini Police Station demanding answers and quick police intervention.
Angry residents handed over a memorandum to the police, declaring their dissatisfaction over ‘poor police service’ – saying ‘enough is enough’.
‘It’s been a week and nothing has been done. We want them to find our boy,’ said a close relative and the family’s landlord, Minenhle Mpanza.
The community also demanded police retrieve CCTV footage from the traffic lights where the alleged getaway car turned.
‘We know the car which took him, all we want is for them to do their jobs. Police are always too quick to arrest people for petty crimes, but turn a blind eye on serious matters,’ said Mpanza.
Lieutenant Colonel Mzimela of eSikhawini SAPS accepted the memorandum, promising to refer the matter to her superiors.
