Frantic search for missing Philippi East child continues
THE family of missing four-year-old Luphiwo Mbandazayo said they won’t stop searching and praying for his safe return.
Family members and residents have been frantically searching for Luphiwo, who was last seen by his aunt Ncumisa Manana in Island, Philippi East, on Tuesday.
Manana said the boy was visiting her from Gugulethu and she had last seen him playing with a toy scooter.
“At around 6.30pm we started panicking when he wasn’t returning home as we initially thought he went to play at a nearby park,” the worried aunt said.
“We started searching immediately and the children that he usually played with said they saw him with an unknown lady. We asked around, going door to door, but no one knew the woman that was described by the children, and the community is very small so people know each other.
“We didn’t sleep. We have been looking and searching and we will keep at it until we find him. We are distraught.”
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said that police were seeking the public’s assistance in locating the child.
“Philippi East police are seeking assistance from the public in locating missing Luphiwo of 10046 Bazindlovu Street, Island, Philippi East, who was last seen playing inside the yard.
“At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing blue-and-white pants and a black T-shirt,” Van Wyk said.
Anyone with information on Luphiwo’s whereabouts can contact the investigating officer, Detective Captain Dirkse, on 082 559 4621.Alternatively, anonymously contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or SMS 32211.