Witbank - Noluthando Masango, who went missing while attending a traditional ceremony in Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga, was found dead in a shallow grave a few days after her family missed the deadline to pay a R5000 ransom for her release, her family said on Friday.
The six-year-old disappeared on Saturday while attending a traditional ceremony and was on Thursday in a shallow stream in the same area.
Masango's grandmother Leah Masango told the African News Agency (ANA) that her family received a call and text messages about the ransom between Monday and Thursday.
Noluthando Masango’s grandmother Leah Masango (right) and her daughter Zanele Masango say Noluthando’s body was found after they missed a deadline to pay a R5000 ransom to the kidnapper to secure her release.
Picture: ANA Reporter
“The call was made to Noluthando’s mother Thoko Masango on Monday from a private number,” said Leah.
“Thoko said the caller did not say anything but she heard Noluthando crying in the background and asking for help while on the phone. She also received a text message from a visible number through which the sender demanded R5000. Thoko collapsed and was taken to the local clinic, where she was treated for high blood pressure and later discharged.”
Leah said the caller instructed her family to transfer R5000 to an undisclosed male name at a Shoprite store through the money market transaction. She said the caller said he would kill Noluthando if the family missed his 1pm deadline on Thursday.
“We wanted to save Noluthando’s life but we did not have the demanded money. We missed the deadline and gave the cell number to the police,” said Leah.
Thoko, 24, was too distraught to speak to ANA on Friday.
Provincial police spokesman Brigadier Leonard Hlathi confirmed the demand for a R5000 ransom and the discovery of Noluthando’s body. He said it appeared as if Noluthando was strangled and possibly raped.
“I’m not at liberty to divulge any other information about the ransom. Noluthando’s body was found in shallow stream a few metres from her relative’s house where she was last seen. Kidnapping and murder cases have been opened for investigation. No arrests have been made,” said Hlathi.
Noluthando’s aunt, Zanele Masango said the Grade one learner disappeared at about 7pm after she went out of a room to watch people who were dancing.