The case of missing 12-year-old Lunamandla Sithonga has been changed to kidnapping after the girl’s alleged abductor contacted her mother recently.
Mother Anela Jack says she received a call from a black male who demanded R10 000 for her daughter’s release.
“He said I must send the money if I want my child back and he described what she was wearing when she went missing, even the items in her bag,” says the distraught mom.
“All the stuff he described was what she went missing with.”
Lunamandla has been missing since 9 July. She was last seen taking a ride with her school transport.
The driver claims he dropped her at Eastville Primary in Mitchells Plain 8.40am, but there’s no record of her being at school that day.
Anela said the male on the phone asked her not to tell the police if she wanted to see her child again.
“I was with my family when he called and he was swearing at me,” she says.
“I asked him to give the child the phone, but he just swore at me.”
Police tried unsuccessfully to trace the call.
Neighbourhood watch groups are continuing to search in Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain.
The call and description of items in Lunamandla’s bag have given the mother hope that she might be still alive.
Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana confirmed: “Mitchells Plain FCS detectives are following up on leads with no arrests at this stage,” she said.
Anyone with more information that can help in finding Lunamandla is requested to contact the investigating officer, detective sergeant Welcome Nkenke, on 063 363 7671.