GONTSE Setuke (23) is heartbroken after her daughter Agang "Pompo" Setuke (2) went missing at Thetele section in Mothutlong, North West, on Thursday, 18 April 2024.
The mum said she left her daughter at home with her grandfather, Jonas Toli (72) when she took her elder daughter to school.
How it all began
She said Jonas was inside the shack while the toddler was eating breakfast outside.
According to Gontse, Jonas was notified by a friend that there was no child outside.
The madala told Daily Sun he thought the child had visited Gontse's sister's home, which is about 100m away from their home. He said the child usually goes alone to visit her.
"I went out drinking with a friend, thinking the child was safe with Gontse's sister," he said.
Realising the child is missing
When the madala returned home around 4pm, Agang's mum asked him where her little daughter was. He told Gonse when he went out, he thought the child had gone to her sister's place. He said Gontse went to look for her at her sister's place and was told the child hadn't arrived there.
"We started looking for the child when we realised she was missing. We checked everywhere, and the child was not there," he said.
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He said it was the first time Agang had gone missing.
"I'm heartbroken about my grandchild. She loved playing and is a happy child," madala said.
He said this has brought suffering to the family.
"We're still searching for her."
Gontse said she is neither eating nor sleeping.
"I'm clueless about where my daughter could be. Please, bring my child back alive. I'm not coping," she said.
Struggling to cope
She said she and Agang were close. Neighbours said they didn't see Agang.
Family friend and neighbour Sina Moeketsi (55) said Agang was her best friend.
"She would always come to me and say, 'Mamzo, what are we eating today?' Then, I would cook, and we would eat together," Sina said.
She said she's also struggling to cope and sleep.
North West Police spokeswoman Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda Funani said police are searching for a baby girl, Agang Setuke (2), who went missing on 18 April 2024.
"Anyone who knows Agang's whereabouts is asked to contact the South African Police Service Crime Stop number: 08600 10111," she said.
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