Lindokuhle Ntsethe, a Grade R student at Sydenham Primary School, was found safe after a frightening disappearance.
How Lindokuhle’s first day at Sydenham Primary School turned into a nightmare
The young boy’s ordeal began when he accidentally boarded the wrong taxi after school, sparking an intense search that ended happily with his return to his family.
The incident unfolded on the first day of school, which was dismissed early due to severe weather warnings.
In the confusion, Lindokuhle took a different taxi than usual, leading to his temporary disappearance. The KwaZulu-Natal education department confirmed this mix-up, adding to the dramatic turn of events.
Despite the alarming situation, the community rallied together. Lindokuhle’s mother visited three police stations and issued a missing person report.
She also urged the public to share a poster to aid in the search, as her son was initially confused with another boy from Waterloo who had also mistakenly taken a wrong taxi home.
In a fortunate twist, the Waterloo boy was reunited with his parents after the taxi driver discovered their contact details in his school bag.
Olwethu Ntsethe, Lindokuhle’s mother, expressed her relief to TimesLIVE:
“We are here at the school. The child was here this morning. I cannot give any more details at this moment as we just got here.”
The relief in her voice was palpable, demonstrating the anxiety of a parent in the throes of uncertainty about their child’s safety.
This incident cast a spotlight on increasing concerns over missing children in South Africa.
According to Missing Children South Africa, a shocking 77% of missing children are eventually found, leaving a disturbing 23% either never found, trafficked or discovered deceased.
Children, as the most vulnerable victims of gender-based violence, face daunting odds in such situations.
In recent years, South Africa has seen a troubling rise in kidnappings, particularly post-COVID-19 lockdown.
As of 2023, 3 712 children remain missing in South Africa, a staggering figure that highlights the ongoing challenge in ensuring the safety of the nation’s children.