NTUZUMA - “No mother deserves to spend her child’s birthday wondering whether her child will ever return home.”
Those are the words of a KwaZulu-Natal mother appealing to South Africans for help in locating her daughter.
The young woman cut ties with her family after joining a religious mission that her family describes as a cult.
Her whereabouts remain unknown.
Thandeka Ngwane is desperately seeking answers about the whereabouts of her only child, Nolwazi Ngwane.
She says the young woman, who turns 22 this week, has always been deeply religious.
However, Ngwane alleges that a mission called ‘Deli’khaya Del’unina’ -- meaning ‘Forget your family and mother’ -- encouraged her daughter to leave home and follow them.
“A spirit told her to leave school, her job, her family and everything else in search of the will of God. I asked her where that came from because I had never heard of such a thing, and it couldn’t be true. I also asked her about the work of the God she spoke about," said Ngwane.
"That’s when I suspected that my child was not okay and was mentally disturbed. It seemed like external forces were pushing her to say these things, and I genuinely believe evil spirits were at work.”
Despite videos circulating online in which the 22-year-old says she is happy where she is, her mother remains convinced they do not reflect her true state of mind.
“I remember reading the letter she wrote before she left. It was as though she was saying goodbye forever. She fondly called me Ndlovukazi, and I called her my queen because she is my pride and joy," said Ngwane.
"I have no one else in my life. I had pinned so much hope on her success so that one day I could have my own house. She also had big dreams for her future. She knew exactly what she wanted. I honestly believe Satan targeted her because of that.”
Nolwazi is believed to have joined a mission led by controversial leader Vusumuzi Sibiya.
Sibiya made headlines earlier this year when his mission in KwaMaphumulo, north of Durban, was raided by government officials and he was ordered to vacate the property.
The CRL Commission says it is monitoring his latest activities in KwaZulu-Natal.
As Nolwazi’s mother pleads for her daughter’s safe return, police say they cannot forcibly detain the 22-year-old because she left home voluntarily.
The decision has left the family devastated, with Ngwane hoping SAPS will reconsider its position.
- eNCA’s Nokwazi Qumbisa reports.