Police offer R50,000 reward in Lathitha Mtolo investigation
Police are offering a R50,000 reward for any information that could lead to the safe return of seven-year-old Lathitha Mtolo who has been missing since February 26.
Police in KwaZulu-Natal have extended a R50,000 reward for information that could aid in locating seven-year-old Lathitha Mtolo, who has been missing for over six months since her disappearance in Kokstad on February 26, 2026. Lathitha was last seen by her friends in the Marikana area, according to police. Despite an ongoing investigation, her whereabouts remain unknown.
The renewed appeal to the public comes after a man was arrested in connection with the case, but the kidnapping charges were not brought to court due to insufficient evidence. In February 2026, a 33-year-old man was apprehended and assaulted by community members, who alleged he confessed to kidnapping Lathitha and handing her over to another individual who took her to an unknown location.
However, the court declined to proceed with the kidnapping case due to insufficient evidence. Police are urging anyone with information about Lathitha's whereabouts or the circumstances surrounding her disappearance to come forward, with information that may assist investigators eligible for the R50,000 reward. Contact Detective Constable Jaca at 071 769 7670 or remain anonymous through Crime Stop at 08600 10111.
Written by urgent.news from IOL's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
