Kimberley - As the case against the four people charged with the abduction of five-year-old Keitumetse Magwadibane was once again postponed on Tuesday, her traumatised parents’ only wish is for their little girl to be returned to them, alive or dead.
Keitumetse went missing on July 14, almost two months ago, after she went to a local tuck shop in Phuthanang with a friend.
Four people - Nora Mazibuko, who is believed to be a sangoma, Joseph Mgobo, Maruping Kgwebane and Clerance Mkhumto - appeared in the Galeshewe Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday in connection with her disappearance.
They have all been charged with abduction.
Mazibuko left community members, who had packed the court gallery on Tuesday, flabbergasted when she waved to Keitumetse’s mother, who was sitting in the front row, after the court was adjourned.
The emotional mother, Margaret and her husband, Frank Magwadibane, said the ordeal had taken its toll on their family.
“We are leading very painful and stressful lives as we do not know where our child is. Our only wish is for her to be returned, whether she is dead or alive.
“We cannot find peace or closure as she is still missing and we are in the dark about her whereabouts. Keitumetse’s siblings also continuously ask about her and the only answer we can give them is that she will come home soon.
“We wish the suspects in this matter will reveal the truth about my child. If they do not, then they should rot in jail forever,” said Margaret.
She said they were grateful for the support they had received from the community and law enforcement agencies.
“We are grateful that the community has taken the time to come to court every time. They have given up their time to assist us in searches and also to come and support us at court. We have also had visits from religious leaders,” she said.
Mazibuko, during court proceedings, indicated that she would be appointing a new attorney as her previous attorney had withdrawn from the case.
Mazibuko, who had at first opted to present her own defence, told the court that since her arrest her rights were never explained to her and she asked whether she could deal with the merits of the case.
The magistrate advised her to apply for legal aid or to appoint her own attorney and added that the merits would be revealed at a later stage.
The State indicated that exhibits had been sent for forensic analysis and they were awaiting the results.
There was currently only a preliminary report regarding some of the exhibits.
Meanwhile, community members protested outside the court, chanting for the return of the child. “Nora bring back our child, we want our child,” they chanted.
Members of the Nupaatla Traditional Healers, who also attended the court proceeding, said they were appalled by the alleged actions of the supposed sangoma.
“As traditional healers we are ashamed and angry at what this woman has allegedly done in the name of traditional healers.
“The community is now wary of traditional healers. This incident has given us a bad reputation.
“We need the community to know that we are traditional practitioners and not witches. We do not use any human parts or blood in our medicine. We slaughter goats and cows and even then we do not make use of animal parts in our medicine.
“If this woman is a traditional healer, she needs to be investigated so it can be fully determined where she got her training and who her lecturer was,” said the healers.
Kagisho police last month announced a reward of R10 000 for any information that may lead to finding Keitumetse.
Police spokeswoman, Sergeant Majang Skalkie, said anyone who has information regarding the matter can contact Sergeant Nicole Botha of Kagisho Detectives on 082 469 2028 or contact the 10111 centre. She said all information would be treated as confidential.
The court case was postponed to October for further investigation and for the Director of Public Prosecutions to make a decision on whether the matter should be referred to a higher court.
Diamond Fields Advertiser