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RELIEVED BUT ANGRY: Thapelo, his face and head covered in dust, is with his mother Johanna Sithole and grandfather, Elias Sithole.

 5 day agony ends in joy 

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Thapelo Sithole, of Spitspunt in the Moutse area, was found in a pit close to his home in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The boy's family believes he may have been kidnapped and that the kidnapper might have dropped him in the pit after a massive search for him was launched.

"A neighbour was on his way to the toilet when he heard the cries of a young child coming from a pit in which we throw rubbish," said Thapelo's mother Johanna.

"He found Thapelo inside the pit with his body covered in what is believed to be ash. He was shivering and could not speak.

"We are just glad that he is alive."

She thanked members of the public who stood by her family while her son was missing.

By Sunday, four days after Thapelo's disappearance, efforts by the police, villagers and sangomas to find the boy had failed to yield results.

Thapelo's grandfather Elias said: "We were always optimistic that we would find him alive.

"We prayed very hard and we are glad our prayers have been answered."

Mpho Leballo, one of the people who helped the family search for Thapelo, said he was happy the boy had been found.

"What we now want to know is who stole him and for what reason. We can't just say because he is back home the chapter is closed. There are still unanswered questions and we won't rest until we get answers," said Leballo.

Thapelo's parents are no longer together but live next door to each other.

The boy's father had to be removed to a place of safety after he was accused by villagers of having had a hand in the boy's disappearance.

The boy's mother, who allegedly led the accusatory crowd, was arrested and released with a warning.

Police spokesperson Lithunya Mmuroa confirmed that the boy had been found but said investigations were continuing.

Comments

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Sat May 25 08:47:18 SAST 2013 ::

Aug 28, 2012

Memme

Wow, Im so happy that baby boy is back home, Praise the Lord!!
Now the family needs to pray even harder that the kidnapper has not done anything evil with this boy..
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Aug 28, 2012

tshepo10

God have mercy, what we put our children through, this is unacceptable, other people dont derseve to have kids. they are now fighting and the kids must suffer, 5 day in a pit, oh what a shame to our black ppl,
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Aug 28, 2012

Kaylae

@Sowetan yesterday the boy was 3 yrs,today he is 6yrs in his missing period he grew quite fast don't you think.

I am glad that the boy has been found alive and unharmed.Obviously he will tell them what happened once he is out of shock and kidnapper you better run as fast as lightening
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Aug 28, 2012

MommaC

I really hope they catch the bugger who took little Thapelo.
So nice to hear a good news story for a change :)
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Aug 28, 2012

Papage

It will take years for Blacks to learn to tolarate each other after divorce, kids always suffer because of the parents, the soon we realise that our problems affect these kids and they grow up with anger bottled in their heart is not good. They will never be good Fathers and mother to their children in the future. Please learn and teach our kids, respect each other even if we are separated
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Aug 28, 2012

Limpopoist

By Sunday, four days after Thapelo's disappearance, efforts by the police, villagers and sangomas to find the boy had failed to yield results.......

We prayed very hard and we are glad our prayers have been answered
======================================================
These Family believe in both sangoma and prayer at the same time ?


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Aug 28, 2012

Maphum28

I don't think they have to blame someone else for the child's disapearence. I see small kids playing in the streets and open spaces without supervision everyday. We need to look after our kids all the time. Stop shifting the blame.
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Aug 28, 2012

Eraser

its gud news he is home and safe..
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Aug 28, 2012

Papage

Maybe Sangomas and Churches must start working together, then we will see a change in communities.
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Aug 28, 2012

Msknowitall2

Praise the LORD
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