By Buziwe Nocuze
- Zimi Athi Mnguni, 11, went missing from Nomcambalala village, Ngqeleni, on Sunday after going to buy something at a shop.
- Police and community members are searching for Zimi. Anyone with information can call Captain Isaac Nomanjila on 082 697 5920.
Zimi Athi Mnguni has been missing for five days. She is 11 years old and has a mental disability.
Zimi went out to play with other children in Nomcambalala village, Ngqeleni, on Sunday. She later took money from home to buy something at a shop on the other side of the village, but never came back.
Family member Avelile Mnguni said Zimi was last seen about to cross a small river on her way to the shop.
“It’s not a big river; kids can cross alone,” Mnguni said.
According to Eastern Cape SAPS spokesperson Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, Zimi had been playing at a nearby sports field with two other children, aged 6 and 9. The two children went home without her and said she had gone to her family’s main homestead.
The family only realised something was wrong when Zimi did not come home that afternoon.
“We got worried when she didn’t come back home in the afternoon and went to check where she was playing. That’s when the other kids told us that she didn’t come back to the shop, and even other people saw her crossing the river to the other side,” Mnguni said.
The family reported Zimi missing to police on Monday. Since then, members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, Ngqeleni SAPS, the K9 unit and the Mounted Unit have joined community members in door to door searches.
“The Airwing could not assist with the search due to weather conditions and will resume the search when the weather clears,” Mawisa said.
“We have been searching with community members, and SAPS have been doing door-to-door, but we can’t find her. We are worried because last year, a two-year-old boy went missing and was found dead,” Mnguni said.
Community member Zukile Mgandana, 50, said the whole village is searching.
“We hope that the child comes back home safe and alive. Kids are supposed to be safe at all times. We will continue searching until we find her,” Mgandana said.
When she went missing, Zimi was wearing blue denim shorts, a maroon T-shirt, a blue tracksuit top and a grey hat. She has a light complexion.
Anyone with information can contact Captain Isaac Nomanjila on 082 697 5920, SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or their nearest police station.
Pictured above: Zimi Mnguni, who went missing while going to the shop in Nomcamba village, Ngqeleni.
Image source: Supplied
