A DURBAN mother is pleading for the safe return of her son, who has been missing for more than two weeks.
Cebo-Elihle Hlongwa, 23, was last seen on Tuesday, December 7, after he was accused of stealing R14 000 worth of belongings in KwaDumisa, near uMzinto.
His mother, Makhosazane Hlongwa, said her son was seen with one of his acquaintances who was selling the alleged stolen items in town.
“My aunt, who lives with my son, told me about him being seen in public with a friend who was selling stolen things at KwaDumisa. They barged inside our house and forced him to go with them, saying he would not be released until he returned all their belongings.
“On Tuesday, I was then contacted on the phone by a man called Nhlanhla, who works for a security company. He said my son stole from them. After telling them to call the police, they refused.
“My aunt then called as they live nearby the people. She had been to their home where they had Cebo. She phoned me and made it clear to me that my son was badly hurt, and had burn injuries on his back, which meant he needed medical attention. They said they would allow him to leave if I paid for the belongings worth R14 500.”
Hlongwa said all of that had unfolded while she was in hospital.
She said she sent R5 000 via cellphone banking after having reached that agreement with the man.
“But they said they had changed their mind, and wanted the full amount.
“After an hour, they phoned, saying they had released him in the middle of the night. Ever since then, I have not seen my son.”
Hlongwa has allegedly been receiving threatening messages from one of the suspects since she made contact with the police.
“Ever since I made an effort to contact the police, I have been receiving messages from the men who took my son, and they are not even considering that I am sick.
“We are in need of help from police outside the area, as we suspect that they are connected to the local police station.
“Please force them to bring back my son,” said Hlongwa.
She said her son’s troubles began during the hard lockdown last year, but that he had done well to disassociate himself from the troublemakers.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele confirmed the arrest of two suspects and their appearance in the Dududu Magistrate’s Court.
“The alleged disappearance of Cebo-Elihle Hlongwa was reported to the police and a missing person docket was opened for investigation. On December 13, 2021, Sawoti police arrested two suspects, aged between 25 and 27, for extortion.
“They appeared in the Dududu Magistrate’s Court on December 15, 2021. “They appeared again yesterday (on Tuesday) in the Sawoti Magistrate’s Court and they were remanded until December 23, 2021, for a bail application,” said Mbele.
Daily News