While other families sleep peacefully at night surrounded by their loved ones, the Kenene family from Ncalukeni locality in Qumbu is having sleepless nights worried about the whereabouts of their son, Thulani Kenene (14), who disappeared on February 5, 2024.
According to his cousin, Asiphe Kenene, on the day of the incident Thulani came back from school as usual and took off his uniform.
“He then left without telling anyone where he was going to. At the time of his disappearance his mother was in town, and it is only his siblings who were at home on that afternoon.”
He is a Grade 8 learner at Qumbu Village in Qumbu.
“It is hard for us because we do not know his whereabouts; even when we hear some footsteps, we always think that it is him. While other people enjoy spending time with their families it is hard for us because we are worried about him,” said Kenene.
She said that they appeal to anyone who may assist them about his whereabouts to do so.
The chairperson of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), Silulami Merana, said that it was the first time having such an incident in their locality.
“We heard that he is in Shawbury locality, but when we went there we did not find anything. What is painful is that his family is crying for help, and we do not know where we can look now, because we have looked all over,” said Merana.
He confirmed that even community members were shocked about this.
“We are appealing to anyone who might come with information about his whereabouts to do so.”
Police spokesperson, Captain Welile Matyolo, confirmed that a boy (14) from Ncalukeni locality in Qumbu went missing at about 17:00, and an inquiry docket was opened at Qumbu police station.
“Search and rescue units were summoned, with no positive results, and nearby localities to Shawbury were alerted as it was rumoured that this boy has been in that area,” said Matyolo.
