Toddler found in bush with his hands tied

The two-year-old boy who was found in bush in Philippi with his hands tied and a suitcase with his clothes next to him.

The two-year-old boy who was found in bush in Philippi with his hands tied and a suitcase with his clothes next to him.

Published Oct 22, 2014

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Cape Town - Western Cape Social Development MEC Albert Fritz has made a public appeal for information after a two-year-old boy was found abandoned, his hands tied, in bush near the Marcus Garvey informal settlement in Philippi.

The toddler had his hands tied with elastic. Beside him was a suitcase containing his clothes.

“A passer-by found the boy on Sunday and immediately informed Philippi East police. He was taken for medical treatment. He had no visible injuries.

Afterwards he was taken to a place of safety in Tom Street, New Crossroads, in Nyanga, police spokesman FC Van Wyk said on Tuesday.

A child abandonment case has been opened.

Fritz condemned the act and said it shocked and horrified him.

“Every act of child abuse is condemned by government. This is almost like horror staying with us. I can’t imagine how traumatised the boy is. This can’t continue,” he said.

Fritz said his department would do whatever it took to support the toddler.

“I am happy that he was found alive so he can be helped But I am shocked by this incident. This can’t continue.

“I call on the community to come up with information regarding this incident. Someone must have seen who took the boy to the bush.

“I call on the community to work with the police and provide information.

“We appeal to society to work with the police so we can bring the culprits to book,” he said.

On Tuesday the Cape Times reported that Fagan Ruiters, the nine-year-old Hanover Park pupil abducted from school last week, was safely back home.

But police were continuing their hunt for his stepfather, Jerome Geduld, 32, who told the school, Morgenson Primary, on Wednesday last week that the boy’s mother, Anastacia Ruiters, had died.

Geduld completed an indemnity form before Ruiters was passed into his care by the school secretary.

Police were tipped off by one of Geduld’s relatives on Friday that he and the child would be in Lavender Hill.

Meanwhile Nokwanda Phandela, 35, accused of kidnapping two-month-old Azile Skafu, will appear in Paarl Regional Court tomorrow.

She is charged with kidnapping Azile after she befriended his mother, Monica Skafu.

Skafu, 38, and her boyfriend Mzwandile Johnson had been out drinking with Phandela and later allowed her to stay for the night at her house in Mbekweni.

The next morning, Skafu discovered Azile and Phandela had gone missing. Anyone with information about the abandoned child can contact investigating officer Rudywaan Hare on 079 880 9821, Philippi East police on 021 370 1900, Crime Stop on 0861001011 or SMS Crimeline 32211.

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