The girl's family said though they did not know Hlongwane, he was a neighbour’s boyfriend.
Bontle’s grandmother, Martina Mashiyane, said on the day her granddaughter disappeared, she waited for her to return from playing with her friends to eat lunch but when she did not come home, she started asking neighbours if they had seen her.
“She was outside playing with other children. I got into my bedroom to lie down. At lunch time I waited for her to come eat but she didn’t and I went out to look for her. Her friends told me she went to the station to wait for her mother, but I didn't find her there.
“I asked for help from neighbours and later I was told the last person seen talking to the children was the boyfriend of our neighbour, Hlongwane. I’m distraught and don't even know what to do. We went to look for her in every bush,” said Mashiyane.
Seipane said with tears in her eyes that she was not coping. “Since her disappearance, life have not been easy. Her friends are going to school while we don’t know where she is. Her younger sister is asking about her every day and we don’t know how to answer her.”
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane visited the family on Saturday and expressed concern that children keep disappearing.
“Children are our future and the trend that there are men preying on them is concerning. We are equally pleading with community members to always look after their children, especially females because these monsters are after our children.
“In the case of Bontle, we believe that very soon we will have a breakthrough so that the family can find closure. It’s really disheartening to see how they feel and imagine how they miss their child. Our police are working day and night in the search for little Bontle,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane.
The community on Thursday staged a protest at Masoyi police station, calling for swift action in the case.
“We can’t have police certifying copies while children are missing. We want cases involving children and women to be prioritised,” said community member Themba Mlambo.
Mohlala said the case was being prioritised, hence it was handled by a specialised family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit in Pienaar.
On the day Bontle went missing, she was wearing a pink T-shirt and pink tracksuit pants.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Det-Sgt Pretty Nsimba on 072-103-4717, 083-442-3403 or 082-303-9798.
Mohlala said alternatively the public can contact the Crime Stop number on 08600-10111 or send information via the MySAPS app. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous, he said.
Mom pleads for daughter’s return 16 days after disappearing
Child last seen with man out on parole
“I’m pleading with anyone who has my child to release her – dead or alive. If he has killed her, let the person place her on the [side of the] road so that we can find her. Maybe we can find closure.”
These are the heartbreaking words of a distraught Permission Seipane after the disappearance of her six-year-old daughter, who was last seen speaking to a murderer 16 days ago, who was released on parole in December.
Mpumalanga police believe Collen Hlongwane could help them find Bontle Zethu Ditebogo Mashiyane, who was last seen at about 11am on April 30 in Mganduzweni in Masoyi, near Hazyview.
“Hlongwane is urged to immediately contact police or go to the nearest police station. The man we are looking for was convicted of murder and was released on parole in December 2021,” said Mohlala.
The girl's family said though they did not know Hlongwane, he was a neighbour’s boyfriend.
Bontle’s grandmother, Martina Mashiyane, said on the day her granddaughter disappeared, she waited for her to return from playing with her friends to eat lunch but when she did not come home, she started asking neighbours if they had seen her.
“She was outside playing with other children. I got into my bedroom to lie down. At lunch time I waited for her to come eat but she didn’t and I went out to look for her. Her friends told me she went to the station to wait for her mother, but I didn't find her there.
“I asked for help from neighbours and later I was told the last person seen talking to the children was the boyfriend of our neighbour, Hlongwane. I’m distraught and don't even know what to do. We went to look for her in every bush,” said Mashiyane.
Seipane said with tears in her eyes that she was not coping. “Since her disappearance, life have not been easy. Her friends are going to school while we don’t know where she is. Her younger sister is asking about her every day and we don’t know how to answer her.”
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane visited the family on Saturday and expressed concern that children keep disappearing.
“Children are our future and the trend that there are men preying on them is concerning. We are equally pleading with community members to always look after their children, especially females because these monsters are after our children.
“In the case of Bontle, we believe that very soon we will have a breakthrough so that the family can find closure. It’s really disheartening to see how they feel and imagine how they miss their child. Our police are working day and night in the search for little Bontle,” said Mtshweni-Tsipane.
The community on Thursday staged a protest at Masoyi police station, calling for swift action in the case.
“We can’t have police certifying copies while children are missing. We want cases involving children and women to be prioritised,” said community member Themba Mlambo.
Mohlala said the case was being prioritised, hence it was handled by a specialised family violence, child protection and sexual offences unit in Pienaar.
On the day Bontle went missing, she was wearing a pink T-shirt and pink tracksuit pants.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Det-Sgt Pretty Nsimba on 072-103-4717, 083-442-3403 or 082-303-9798.
Mohlala said alternatively the public can contact the Crime Stop number on 08600-10111 or send information via the MySAPS app. All information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous, he said.