IT WAS a warm winter day - perfect weather for a little boy to play outside, especially after the recent rains. And that's exactly what Khayalethu Magadla did after his family came home from church that Sunday. As the day wore on and the sun rose high, Khaya decided to go and play with his friends at the park down the road from his home in Dlamini, Soweto.
It was there the five-year-old was last seen alive. As the sun sank and cold dusk loomed, the family started getting concerned and what would emerge became a heartbreaking story that has saddened the entire country.
When Khaya didn't come back home on Sunday evening, we went around looking for the children he was playing with, says family spokesperson Veli Mthethwa.
But they were met with silence. The children didn't want to divulge any information on his whereabouts. It was as if they were scared.
The family went to the Moroka police station but found it deserted and went back to report him missing the following day. They also reported him missing at school and gradually started to piece together what had happened.
There was an open manhole in the area that we reported two years back which was covered with a plank, Veli says. It seems the boys had been taking turns walking over the plank with Khaya being the last one to go.
There was a child who was fetched from school by his parents and he accompanied them to the park along with their teachers. He went straight to the hole and said, 'This is where Khaya fell:
This story is from the 07 July 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 07 July 2022 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you
FINALLY I CAN GRIEVE
The boy who killed her teen son has been sentenced to five years in jail, but while it has brought some closure there is no end to the pain for his heartbroken mother
'I'M BACK!'
ACK!’ Scandal after scandal hits Jacob Zuma, yet nothing ever brings him down. Now he’s plotting his return to parliament and he’s hinted he has his heart set on another term as president
A BETTER LIFE FOR ELIJAH
A rare condition means this little boy can't bend his arms and legs, but his parents are doing everything they can to give him a normal life
HOW TO SPOT A NARCISSIST
They often look like the most confident person in the room, but narcissists are insecure and desperate for validation, says a new book
ANDREW'S LONG SHADOW
The princes sordid past has made it unlikely that his daughters will be willing or able to become working royals