ERMELO – Zanele Ester Twala (61) is pleading with residents to assist in the search of her son, Skhumbuzo William Nkwanyana (33) also known as Majazi, who has been missing since November 16, 2021.

According to Twala, Nkwanyana was last seen when he left Davel, his home town, KwaDela, to allegedly sell scrap metal at one of Ermelo’s scrapyards. She has not seen or heard from him since.

Nkwanyana suffers from a mental illness.

Twala described her son as a quiet person who disliked hanging out with strangers; he was the younger of her two children.

“We tried contacting our extended relatives and his friends the day he went missing, but no one knew where he was,” Twala added.

The same week he disappeared, the family opened a missing persons docket with the Ermelo police.

The shattered Twala went on to say that she does not go a day without wondering about her son and his safety.

“Skumbuzo’s absence has taken a toll on my health, and now that it’s winter, I’m wondering if my son is safe and warm wherever he is, and if he has something to eat. When I think of him, I can’t even eat; I just cry myself to sleep.”

Residents had earlier contacted the family, alleging to have seen him in one of the neighbouring coal mines near Hendrina Road; they went to investigate, but were unable to locate him.

“I’m pleading with anyone who might have information to come forward. My heart hurts, and all I want is to see my son again.”

Read the complete article on Highvelder newspaper.