The sun quickly set and with all the girls already in their homes, he decided to park near a bush and sleep there, hopeful that dawn would bring with it the answer he so craved. He decided take a 13-year-old because the chances of finding virgins between 15 and18 were very slim.

As Director of a large firm in Polokwane, his job allowed him the privilege of not having to report in, he could work from home.

The sun hit his blue Yaris, waking him from his uncomfortable slumber, he had slept at the backseat with his knees up. He stretched, and that’s when he spotted a young girl in a school uniform. She looked innocent in her white shirt and blue skirt. He checked to see if there was anyone in sight, the coast was clear. His heart started beating harder and harder as the moment approached.

He walked up to her, pretending to ask for directions.

“Hey, I am looking for…” he closed her mouth and pushed her inside the car.

He put a cloth in her mouth and tied her arms behind her back and her legs from ankle to knee, ensuring she was immobile. He got in the car rammed on the accelerator, breathing heavily with fear and continuously checking his rear view mirror to see if he was being followed. Eventually he found a secluded road and pulled over.

The muffled screams of the girl rang out in vain as he attempted to put her in the boot of his car. He saw the terrified look in the girl’s eyes, causing him to look away. He knew it was not right, all he wanted was to heal.

A few hours later he arrived at Ga Mashishane at the home of his late grandparents’ where his father was raised. The home was deserted and with all his other relatives dead, he was sure to be undisturbed.

*****

Buhle’s grandmother was sitting in her favourite rocking chair reading her Bible when suddenly Musa and Malose burst in through the front door. Her older grandchildren were busy cooking and the younger ones were doing their homework.

“Koko! Where is Buhle? Mrs Langa was worried about her and told us that she had had a horrible dream about her!” Musa said with a hint of worry in his voice.

“Huh? Did she not come to school?”

“No she didn’t Mrs Langa,” Malose answered immediately, equally worried.

“Puseletso… Come here!” she shouted.

A tall, slender girl in Grade 10 came running from the kitchen, still in her school uniform.

“Why are you still in your uniform? When did Buhle leave for school?” Koko asked curiously.

“She left earlier today,”

She nearly collapsed as Puseletso caught her and helped her back into her chair.

“Do you mean Buhle is missing?” Puseletso asked, her heart thumping inside her chest.

“Call your mother and you will accompany me to the police. I am worriedhere can she be?” out of shock, her hands started shaking uncontrollably.

Koko was diabetic and suffered from high blood pressure. She took medicine daily but sometimes her blood pressure spiked and her legs swelled up. She had a stroke when her husband died and now she walked with a stick. The stress of Buhle missing was sure to make her health worse.

The thoughts about those missing people on television who are never found played in her mind. She never thought that one day her granddaughter would be one of those statistics. Puseletso gave her water to help her calm down, while rubbing her grandmother’s back reassuringly.

Koko took a deep breath and they walked down to the police station.

***

Tell us: What sentencing should the sangoma get for being soliciting a rape of a child?