By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

As the search continues for the missing 7-year-old girl, Lathitha Mtolo from Marikana, communities have come together to create search groups, to cover more ground while claims and speculation, including information from the ‘spirit world’, continue to circulate online.
Lathitha has been missing since the afternoon of 26 February when she did not return from visiting friends in Marikana. Since her disappearance, believed to have been an abduction, police and local law enforcement have conducted massive searches which included foot patrols, search and rescue divers and sniffers dogs, helicopter searches and the apprehension and interrogation of suspects or persons of interest.
Unfortunately, there is still no sign of the young girl and despite rumours of alleged body mutilation for the purpose of witchcraft, no remains or evidence of such actions have been found.
Last week also saw a number of protests in front of the police station and Kokstad Magistrate’s Court in support of the family of the missing child. On Friday, a suspect linked to the case was released from court due to an alleged lack of evidence.
This resulted in a number of violent protests in Marikana, Bhongweni and Shayamoya where roads were blocked with rocks and bricks. Some protestors even resorted to stoning nearby homes and even set alight homes of those allegedly implicated in the case. Local authorities together with Port Shepstone Public Order Protection members monitored the situation and restored calm.
Last Wednesday, the Greater Kokstad Municipality together with Kokstad SAPS Station Commander, Colonel Ralph Ruiters, addressed the local media, calling for calm and cooperation from the community.
Since then, various volunteer groups have been established and a number of informal searches have been conducted along the river banks and other possible areas. To date nothing has been found however many groups continue to search.
Social media has also been inundated with speculation and alleged sources of information about the case, including posts with information allegedly gathered from the ‘spirit world’ or ‘ancestors’ using traditional methods.
Claims ranging from the missing girl’s whereabouts, her physical condition, descriptions of her captors, people with knowledge of her situation to claims that the young girl was taken by a familiar person to create a ‘umkhovu’ (zombie).
It is unclear which information the SAPS has made use of as Kokstad SAPS Station Commander, Colonel Ralph Ruiters, said that police cannot reveal their current investigation tactics, sources and leads to avoid interference in the case.
“She has not been found and the case is still under investigation. We cannot reveal our sources because then everyone will have insight into what we are doing and this could hinder the investigation,” said Ruiters.
The Greater Kokstad Municipality also rejected a request for a peaceful march last Friday in the wake of the violence with had taken place.
“At this moment, our hearts ache with the uncertainty surrounding the disappearance of seven-year-old Lathitha Mtolo in the Marikana area. The fear and anguish felt by her family and community resonate deeply with us all, and we share their pain as they wait for answers and the return of their child. Authorities have appealed for calm and cooperation with the ongoing search and have urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands, as this jeopardises the investigation and the prospect of justice for Lathitha. In times of fear, frustration can easily turn into action that unintentionally inflicts further harm. Acts of vandalism, whether of homes, public buildings, roads, electrical infrastructure, or other community assets, do not bring us closer to justice or answers,” said the municipality in a statement.
Community members are still urged to contact the police with any information which could assist in investigation in the case. Please contact the SAPS Kokstad Station Commander, Col. Ralph Ruiters on 0824177957 or the Investigating Officer, Constable L Jaca on 039 727 6300 or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.

1. Kokstad SAPS Station Commander, Colonel Ralph Ruiters, GKM Mayor, Lwanda Madikizela and GKM Speaker, Bheki Nozaza provided a joint statement calling for calm in the case of the missing Lathitha Mtolo.
2. Roads were blocked with rocks and bricks during protests last week calling for justice in the Lathitha Mtolo case.
3. The missing 7-year-old Marikana girl, Lathitha Mtolo.