A missing toddler has been found dead on the R300 highway after he was allegedly kidnapped last Thursday.
Two-year-old Enkosi Nkolisa had been left with his neighbour in Lloyd informal settlement in Crossroads and was playing with his friends when he was snatched.
He went missing while his mother Nomakholwa, 30, went to buy something to eat with her friend just before 5pm.
“I went with my friend to buy a kota from a shop which is a bit far from my house,” she says.
“And then when I came back, I can’t remember the time, I was told that my son’s father came to fetch him.
“I didn’t think I had any reason to fear he was in danger.”
The grieving mom tells the Daily Voice that later that night, she called the father and asked him to bring Enkosi back.
“He was shocked when I asked him to bring my baby back.
“I got worried when he said that and went back to my neighbour who told me about my baby’s father.
“She said that he [suspected kidnapper] looked a lot like him, but she found it strange that he wouldn’t allow anyone near my child.
“He reportedly took my child to a bonfire somewhere in the area and then he disappeared with him.”
A distraught Nomakholwa told community leaders about the abduction and they helped look for Enkosi.
“We searched that whole night and the following morning I went to the police station to report the matter, but the police station turned me away.
“I continued searching and on Sunday I went back to Nyanga Police Station and reported the matter and I was advised to liaise with a missing person’s organisation.”
Nomakholwa says on Monday, they were informed by the investigating officer that her child was found dead on the road – a few hundred metres away.
“I was told that he was found on the R300, he had been hit by a car and that he had passed on,” she says.
“We went to Tygerberg and when we got there I identified him.
“I would like to know how my baby died and I hope the police will arrest the man who took him.”
Ward 36 Councillor Nceba Ntshweza has urged residents to be vigilant with their children, especially over the festive season.
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi has confirmed that the two-year-old child was involved in a motor vehicle accident on the R300 highway on Friday.
“The body was transported to the mortuary. Mfuleni Police registered a case of culpable homicide for further investigation,” he said.
“Anyone with information of what transpired on this day is urged to call Crime stop anonymously on 08600 10111.”