By Teboho Moloi
QwaQwa – A grieving mother has accused Phuthaditjhaba police of abandoning her, saying community members found her missing son’s body after 15 days while police did “nothing but paperwork.
“The body of Lefa Fana Nale, 22, was recovered on top of mountains near Hatsoanyana Farm on Monday, 24 August, by a community search team led by UAT leader James “Bolele” Majake and Qholaqhwe CPF patrollers.
Nale went missing on Sunday, 9 August, after going on a hunting expedition with friends. Dense fog reportedly separated the group. One friend made it home. Nale and Sello Jerry Khala, 38, did not.
Khala was found dead on Friday, 14 August, near the mountains. But for Nale’s mother Joyce Nale, the wait turned into agony.
“I, with the support of the community and CPF, took it upon ourselves to go look for my son in those scary mountains and found him. Not the police. The community found him,” a tearful Joyce said.
She alleges police gave “many explanations” why they could not search the mountains and promised a helicopter rescue that “never materialized.”
“The investigating officer told me they planned to search on Tuesday, 25 August. But we found him on Monday,” she said.
Qholaqhwe CPF leader Phanana Ngubene said police only arrived to do paperwork and collect the deceased.
Majake, who led the manhunt, said he was pained to see a family living with tears for three weeks seeking answers.
“All we did was come together as neighbours and community stakeholders,” Majake said.
Joyce praised one officer, Sergeant Maybe, for staying with them “until late in the afternoon.”
But overall she said: “I am very disappointed with the service I got from police who are meant to serve me.”
The family said Nale’s body had no visible injuries, though there was blood from his nose.
Police confirmed a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
Anyone with information can contact Warrant Officer Mathibela on 082 554 3461, Crime Stop 08600 10111, or via the MySAPS App.
