Police are investigating a kidnapping after a six-year-old girl went missing from her home in Shaka’s Head, KwaZulu-Natal, on Sunday while her parents were busy helping at the scene where a fire gutted several houses at an informal settlement.

Minenhle Khumalo was alone at home while her parents went to offer assistance at the scene of the fire.

Minenhle’s mother, Nompumelelo Khumalo (27), says they locked the house before leaving. However, upon their return, they found the window open, and Minenhle was nowhere to be found.

“We have been searching all over Shaka’s Head. Some people claimed to have seen her playing near an informal settlement between Umhlali Country Club and Braeside. But when we went there, nobody had any information about her,” says Nompumelelo.

“Minenhle was dressed in a light blue pair of jeans and a grey jersey. She has a fair complexion, and her hair is braided.”

Umhlali Police spokesperson Captain Vinny Pillay confirmed that they are investigating a kidnapping case.

If you see Minenhle or have any information regarding her whereabouts or disappearance, contact Umhlali SAPS on 032 947 9900 or 064 103 5035, or Nompumelelo on 072 850 5907.

It was previously reported that 30 people, including several children, were left homeless after what started as a stove fire, destroyed their shacks in a settlement in Shaka’s Head on Saturday night.