THE search is still on for a couple belonging to a nomadic cult who are on the run after a court ordered they hand over their one-year-old son and two-year-old daughter so their family can take care of the toddlers.
The boy is said to be desperately ill.
The toddlers' aunt told the Mthatha High Court the parents are not capable of looking after them. One of their sons had died before he was a year old, while another was earlier removed from their care.
At the time of his removal, the little boy, who is now five and living with his grandparents, addressed everyone as "brothers and sisters" - even his own parents - as it is the custom of the cult to which they belong. The only other words he knew were "ganja" (for dagga) and "chalais" (dagga pipe).
Family members told the court they saw the parents blowing dagga fumes through the pipe into toddlers' faces.
The family were seen living in the forest in Port St Johns in the Transkei a week ago, but when the authorities wanted to remove the toddlers following the court order, they had already disappeared.
Lawyer Karlien Minnie, who is acting on behalf of the concerned family, said they believe the parents were tipped off about the court order.
The children's father was meanwhile spotted last Sunday in an old green bakkie at the Zwartkops Racetrack in Centurion.
The man is 20 years older than the toddlers' mother and it is believed that she is one of several of his "wives".
Although it is suspected that they are part of the Rastafarian community, a member of the Rasta faith told lawyers the parents were "kicked out" because of the man's "evil ways".
The court was earlier told the man banned his "wife" from speaking to her family, that she may not wear underwear and that he is extremely abusive towards her. Her family described the parents and toddlers as "extremely dirty".
Minnie said the family were spotted in Potgietersrus on Wednesday, but they cannot be located.
Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts can phone lawyer Ferdi Hartzenberg at 082 572 0101.
SPECIAL AFTER THE WORLD CUP
• Option 1
1 x Garrett PD6500i Walk-Through plus
1 x Garrett Hand-Held Super-Scanner R 29 970.00 Excl VAT
Saving over 40%
• Option 2
1 x Garrett Hand-Held Super-Scanner R 999.00 Excl VAT
These Prices do not include installation, training or delivery.
Units carry a 2 year factory warranty as per Garrett USA standard terms and conditions.
0215570666 Doculam (Pty) Ltd
ALL TRUSTEES OF COMPLEXES
WE OFFER:
2 X GRADE D GUARDS DAYSHIFT
2 GRADE D GUARDS NIGHTSHIFT
DEDICATED ARMED RESPONSE
Complex 24hr Guarding
Attention all Body Corporates: Complex Guarding from R5799.00. We will BEAT any reasonable written quote for your security Guards need. Get the Rates, Get the Service. TRY US TODAY!! T's & C's apply.
Security Guards
Glimmer International will not guarantee you the lowest quote in the industry; however we will guarantee you the services of guards who are pro active and equipped with the knowledge and training to act as soon as the threat is imminent or to prevent it from occurring in the first place.
R 16 500.00 - 0% vat for:
1 x Day Security Officer
1 x Night Security Officer
.gif)
