Anger builds as mother searches for her son

Siyamthanda, who was 10 years old at the time, was last seen when he went playing with friends at a bush-filled wetland not far from his home. The four friends returned later without him.

“I am convinced that there are people from Ocean View who know the whereabouts of my son but for some reason they are refusing to tell me. But I have not given up hope. I will find my son no matter what. I know he is out there,” said Siyamthanda’s upset mother, Magdeline Mndayi.

Judy Botes of Missing Children SA’s (MCSA) said there was no news since Mndayi’s disappearance. MCSA helps the South African Police Service find people and it also creates awareness about missing children.

The organisation has been at the forefront of the search for Siyamthanda since he disappeared in 2010. “We are still distributing pamphlets but there has been no news or leads of his whereabouts. MCSA has an 86 percent success rate of finding children but the remaining 14 percent is still a lot,” said Botes.

Ocean View investigating officer Baxolile Ludidi confirmed that there were no new leads but said the case was still open. “It takes about 10 to 15 years before a case is officially closed if there are no leads, but this particular case has now been taken over by the Crime Intelligence team and I am working with them to provide the necessary information.”

Siyamthanda would be celebrating his 13th birthday this coming Friday.

Magdeline says she moved from Masiphumelele, Ocean View a year after Siyamthanda went missing and now lives with her daughter in Mitchell’s Plain.

“I moved after I was practically chased away by the community who said I was blaming them for Siya’s disappearance. I have a strong suspicion of the person who can lead me to my son and I have confronted her, but she told me that she didn’t know what I was talking about. I will find Siya no matter what, and I do not care if I have to do it alone,” said Magdeline.