KNYSNA NEWS - A post by the Knysna Community Police Forum (CPF) has brought a fairy-tale ending to the trials and tribulations of Siyabonga Vanga, who had been living on the streets of Knysna for two years while his family was looking for him in the Eastern Cape.
On 20 April, Knysna CPF posted on Facebook appealing for assistance in locating Vanga's family.
"We wish to assist him and are therefore appealing to any person who can assist us in locating his relatives. The individual appears to be unable to give us any information and we are concerned about his well-being," read the post by Knysna CPF chair Cheryl Britz.
In less than a week, Vanga's family came from George to Knysna to be reunited with Siyabonga.
Siyabonga's brother, Michael Vanga, was very happy that they were finally reunited with their brother. "He is safe and he is staying with us. Our mother is on her way from Whittlesea near Queenstown in the Eastern Cape to see him," he said.
Knysna CPF chair Cheryl Britz is very pleased that Siyabonga could be reunited with his family.
Michael said Siyabonga left home and initially came to Plettenberg Bay. "When we started looking for him two years ago, we were told that he was in Engcobo in the Eastern Cape. We did not know where he was," he said.
He said it was a touching moment when Siyabonga called them by their names. "He still remembers us all after all. I want to thank all those who helped us in finding our brother," he said.
Britz thanked everybody who shared the post about Vanga.
"He was living alone on the streets and we were all concerned about him. The power of social media has led to a successful family reunion. The Knysna CPF posted a photo to request any relatives to come forward. This appeal was shared far and wide and family members in George were alerted by friends in Johannesburg," she said.
Britz said the family had no idea that Siyabonga was in the Western Cape.
"On Sunday Siyabonga was successfully reunited with his brother and family members from George. The CPF would like to thank Knysna police for assisting the CPF, for the clothing and transport provided. The Vanga family members from George and in the Eastern Cape have expressed their sincere gratitude and would like to thank everyone involved. We wish Siyabonga and the Vanga family all the best," she said.
Siyabonga Vanga has been living on the streets of Knysna for two years while his family thought he was in the Eastern Cape.
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