By Songeziwe Mapukata
As is tradition in Qalane village at lower Qweqwe in the Eastern Cape, Ntsikayomzi Mdladla was released from school to recover after he was circumcised by a traditional surgeon.
But just hours after Ntsikayomzi was circumcised and taken home by his father and a traditional nurse who was to take care of him until he recovered, the 21-year-old initiate disappeared.
He disappeared from the rondavel he was sleeping in on 29 November and he hasn’t been seen since.
His mother Nonyameko Mdladla told Scrolla.Africa they had just had dinner when they heard dogs barking outside.
“His father went to check but came back saying the traditional nurse told him the initiate had fled,” she said.
Nonyameko said the traditional nurse, who was joined by his friend, said Ntsikayomzi asked to be accompanied to the bush so he could relieve himself.
“But after the nurse told him he must hurry doing his business as the mosquitos were dangerous, they investigated and found that the young man had fled, leaving his blanket,” the mother said.
In tears, Nonyameko told Scrolla.Africa she is sceptical about this account of what happened.
“Wherever he is, my son is without food and shelter! He is naked, cold, in pain and alone,” she said.
Ntsikayomzi’s father, Tata Gcinikhaya Mdladla, is also suspicious of the nurse’s account of events. He also suspects that there are others who know more about his son’s disappearance than they are letting on.
“The boys in the village know more than what they’re telling us about my son’s disappearance,” he said.
A missing persons case was registered at the Central Police station in UMthatha.
Pictured above: Nonyameko Mdladla (left) and her missing son Ntsikayomzi Mdladla (right)
Image source:Songeziwe Maputaka
