A police helicopter has been deployed to assist in the search for seven-year-old Thalitha Mtolo, who went missing from her home in Kokstad last week.
The Mayor of the Greater Kokstad Municipality, Councillor Lwando Madikizela, confirmed in an interview with The Informer that the aircraft was requested to support ongoing search efforts by police, the family, and community members.
“The helicopter was requested to come and assist the police and the family in searching for the little Thalitha Mtolo,” Madikizela said.
He added that both police and community volunteers are actively involved in the search and encouraged more residents to assist so that the family can find closure.
“We would like to see more people helping in the search so that the family can find closure on this issue,” he said.
However, Madikizela also expressed concern that criminal elements have taken advantage of the situation, causing damage to public infrastructure.
“Our infrastructure has been vandalised. Roads have been damaged and left with potholes after burning tyres. Some houses have been burnt and pavements that were under construction have also been vandalised,” he said.
He urged residents to refrain from destructive behaviour and allow authorities to handle the situation.
“We request communities to refrain from this habit, otherwise the police must do their job. Criminal elements have infiltrated the efforts to find the child,” Madikizela added.
Meanwhile, workers and school learners struggled to travel on Thursday as several streets were barricaded with stones. Disaster management teams worked to clear the debris in order to restore safe and smooth movement in affected areas.
The search for Thalitha Mtolo continues, with authorities appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
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