A DISTRAUGHT grandmother is living in terror after her two-year-old grandson was abducted from their home at eMabuyeni Reserve in eSikhaleni last Saturday – two years after the boy’s mother was kidnapped, raped, killed and her body dumped in a forest.
Distressed Zanele Mhlongo (37) is not only terrified that history might repeat itself, but fears something more sinister might be targeting her loved ones.
‘First my 18-year-old daughter was found with a bullet wound in the head after she was abducted, and now this incident.
‘This boy is the last piece I have left of my daughter,’ cried Mhlongo.
Toddler Samukelo Manqele vanished without trace at 4pm last Saturday.
According to the grandmother, the boy was last seen playing with a wheelbarrow with other children.
PHOTO: Wellington Makwakwa
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‘He was playing and banging things as always, but minutes later was nowhere to be found.
‘We searched around the area and looked everywhere, but there was no sign of my grandson. No one saw or heard anything,’ said Mhlongo.
According to her, after the case was reported to the eSikhawini SAPS, a police search was conducted and the dog unit was called to the assist.
Speaking to the Zululand Observer on Wednesday, Mhlongo said she fears she could be the next victim.
‘It has been a struggle to move on after my daughter was killed in 2015. It is not easy for a mother to get over the brutal murder of a child, especially under such gruesome circumstances.
‘Samukelo’s disappearance has taken me back to the time my daughter’s body was found discarded like trash in a forest,’ said Mhlongo.
On a threshold of adulthood, Mhlongo’s daughter was recovered in a pine tree forest by her neighbour several hours after she disappeared from their home.
She had a gunshot wound in her head and evidence suggested sexual assault.
A missing person’s case was opened at eSikhawini SAPS and the investigation is ongoing.
Police have requested the community to come forward with information on the boy’s whereabouts.
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