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Fear and anger have gripped the community of Kokstad as the desperate search for a missing seven-year-old girl continues. What began as a frantic effort to find little Lathitha Mtolo has now spiralled into unrest, with residents turning on suspected individuals and setting homes on fire in acts of vigilante justice.
The young girl, who lives in the Marikana section of Kokstad in KwaZulu‑Natal, was reported missing last Thursday afternoon. According to reports, Lathitha had been playing with friends near her home but never returned, sending her family and neighbours into a state of panic. Since then, search efforts have intensified as authorities try to piece together what may have happened.
Police investigating the case have raised the possibility that human trafficking could be linked to the child’s disappearance, a revelation that has only deepened fears within the community. However, officials have also warned that growing unrest is now threatening to derail the investigation.
On Wednesday, local authorities issued a strong appeal for calm after several incidents of violence broke out in the area. At least three houses believed to belong to suspected individuals were set alight by angry residents acting on unverified information.
The mayor of the Greater Kokstad Municipality, Lwanda Madikizela, confirmed that tensions have escalated to dangerous levels, forcing authorities to consider stronger measures to restore order.
“We started seeing people burning houses based on untested information yesterday,” Madikizela said during a media briefing. “We do not want anyone to be arrested for creating public disorder, but it is our responsibility to restore order in our town.”
Police have echoed the mayor’s concerns, saying that while they understand the community’s frustration and fear, acts of mob justice are making it harder for investigators to gather evidence.
The commander of the Kokstad police station, Ralph Ruiters, said detectives are treating the case with urgency and are exploring all possible leads, including the suspected involvement of trafficking networks. He warned that burning the homes of alleged suspects could ultimately protect criminals rather than expose them.
Authorities stressed that destroying property and attacking suspected individuals creates a serious threat to the integrity of the investigation. Evidence could be lost, witnesses intimidated, and innocent people harmed.
Meanwhile, the municipality has deployed social workers and disaster management teams to support Lathitha’s devastated family as the search continues.
Despite acknowledging the horrific nature of a child’s disappearance, Madikizela urged residents to channel their anger in peaceful ways.
“Let us march if we are frustrated, but let us not destroy infrastructure,” he said, noting that burning homes and damaging municipal property only deepens the community’s suffering and places additional financial strain on the town.
Police have planned a major search operation as they intensify efforts to locate the missing girl. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Lathitha’s whereabouts to report it directly to the police rather than spreading rumours or taking matters into their own hands.
Anyone with information can contact Colonel Ruiters on 082 417 7957.
