A seven-year-old child was rushed to hospital with critical injuries after being assaulted on a farm in Upper Tongaat this morning.

The child was allegedly assaulted by his mother’s partner. He was later found with serious injuries to the head and neck.

The child’s sibling, a three-year-old toddler, was also reported missing, allegedly kidnapped the 39-year-old farm worker.

This prompted a widespread search in the surrounding area, near Esenembe, with Umhlali K9 and IPSS Search and Rescue teams scouring the area with assistance from members of the community.

The search was called off for the night and will resume early tomorrow morning.

This is a developing story.

• This article was amended after it was published. Following further investigation, according to Saps, the couple were not married. The suspect is, therefore, not the children’s stepfather. Similarly, the article was corrected on January 8, to reflect this change. The North Coast Courier apologises for any confusion caused.

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