Cops arrest suspect after child’s body found

A-10-year-old boy from Ngcobo who was snatched on Sunday while bird-hunting with friends, has been found dead and a 25-year-old suspect arrested following his death.

The  boy’s body was  found   after an intensive search and rescue operation  launched by police at Mnyolo plantation.

The  death of Msindisi Mzolisa from Zabasa Village,  left hundreds of residents devastated after they had joined a large contingent of police officers from Mthatha, Ngcobo, Dalasile and two large search and rescue dog units from Queenstown and East London in the search.

Mzolisa was found with his throat slit.

Two of his friends have also been left traumatised after a “panga-wielding” man allegedly threatened to kill them on Sunday  around  midday.

Immediately after the news spread through the village on Sunday, residents conducted a search.

They were later joined by police officers and at least one sniffer dog.

The search ended late at night and resumed again yesterday morning around 6am.

Family member Mluleki Mzolisa told the Daily Dispatch yesterday that the parents of the child were devastated by  his disappearance.

He was speaking to the newspaper hours before the body of the child was recovered.

A 25-year-old suspect was arrested at around 1pm yesterday and Fatyela said the man had pointed out to police the spot where the child was found in the forest,  close to a river.

He said the police were now investigating a case of murder.

“We arrested him and are not sure as to when he will appear in court,” Fatyela said.

Msindisi’s disappearance has brought the total  number of  children abducted in the province this  month to three.

The  Hawks, are still searching for two missing East London children, who were alleged to have been kidnapped by their nannies.

“No new information is coming in, its still quieter.

“The investigations continue,” said  Hawks national spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.

Early this month an 18-month-old toddler Nelson Mayekiso  was reported missing at the Beacon Bay police station after his  nanny only  known as Nosiyoyo, allegedly disappeared with him.

Apparently Nosiyoyo was involved with a dispute with the child’s father and demanded R1500 be paid to her before she released the child.

A second incident happened the same week when a three-year-old child was allegedly kidnapped by a nanny believed to be from Mozambique.

The nanny is believed to be asking for a ransom of R500000.

Both cases are now being investigated by the Hawks. — mamelag@dispatch.co.za / bonganif@dispatch.co.za

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