Where is Nkosingiphile? Mpumalanga Family Desperate to Find Missing Deaf Toddler

The three-year-old boy vanished on a Sunday afternoon. His silence has turned into the loudest cry in Masoyi.

In the quiet village of Mshadza Trust, nestled in Masoyi near Mpumalanga’s bushveld, an ordinary Sunday turned into a nightmare for the Ntiwane family. Their three-year-old son, Nkosingiphile Ndwane Ntiwane, hasn’t been seen since the early afternoon of July 20.

Little Nkosingiphile, described by those who love him as playful and curious, stepped outside his home to play just like any other day. But he never came back. The twist that has shaken the community even more, Nkosingiphile is deaf and mute, and his ability to communicate with strangers is limited.

A Community Rallies, But No Sign of the Boy

His father, after noticing the toddler’s absence, alerted neighbours and quickly mobilised a search party. The community responded fast and furiously. Families combed through fields, backyards, and gravel paths, calling his name — even though they knew he wouldn’t hear them.

But the hours stretched into the night with no trace of Nkosingiphile. Police and other authorities joined the effort, but hope is beginning to wear thin.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, provincial police spokesperson, the child was last seen wearing a camouflage jumpsuit and a peach-coloured jersey. Authorities are treating this with the utmost urgency.

A Deafening Silence in South Africa’s Ongoing Child Safety Crisis

Nkosingiphile’s disappearance comes in the shadow of a troubling national trend. As the holiday season wound down earlier this year, 632 children were reported missing across the country in 2024. In Cape Town alone, 365 children were separated from their families on the beaches during December.

These statistics paint a grim picture of child safety in South Africa and highlight the vulnerability of children like Nkosingiphile, who live with disabilities that make them even more at risk in crisis situations.

Over the past decade, more than 8,700 children have been reported missing in South Africa. While many are eventually found, the trauma left behind lingers for families and communities alike.

Social Media Reacts: “We Have to Do Better”

Nkosingiphile’s story has begun to trend on social media in regional groups, especially among parenting and community forums. Posts with his image a tiny boy in a camo suit are being widely shared with captions like: “Bring him home” and “Please check your yards and sheds.”

Residents are calling for better systems to protect vulnerable children, especially those with disabilities. A viral TikTok from a local Mpumalanga resident put it plainly: “We have to do better. Our children are not safe.”

What You Can Do to Help

If you’ve seen Nkosingiphile, or have any information that could help police trace his whereabouts, contact Captain David Hlatshwayo directly on 076 451 5495. You can also call the SAPS Crime Stop line on 08600 10111 or use the My SAPS App to submit tips anonymously.

Every second matters. Whether it’s checking a nearby bush, sharing a post, or simply staying alert, the next clue could bring Nkosingiphile back home.

{Source: IOL}

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