Police in KwaZulu-Natal have intensified the search for 29-year-old Sduduzo Mavundla, who is accused of attempting to murder his nine-year-old nephew in Chesterville, west of Durban.
The incident took place in January, when Mavundla allegedly lured the child into nearby bushes under the pretext of buying him snacks. Once there, he reportedly confronted the boy, claiming he wanted to “show his father what he was made of” amid tensions between family members, according to SAPS spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda.
Mavundla is alleged to have strangled the child before repeatedly stabbing him in the face, leaving him unconscious. The boy later regained consciousness and managed to crawl to a nearby road, where passersby found him and rushed him to hospital.
Police say Mavundla later persuaded the child's mother to open a missing persons case. Following investigations, he was arrested, but subsequently released on bail. He has not returned to court since, and a warrant for his arrest was issued in September 2024.
Authorities are appealing to the public to assist in locating him. Anyone with information is urged to contact Investigating Officer Captain Ndlovu on 082 411 5609 or the Crime Stop hotline on 08600 10111.