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S Africa boy 'held for 13 years' S Africa boy 'held for 13 years'
(20 minutes later)
A man has been charged with indecent assault after a South African boy was rescued after allegedly being held captive in a dark room for 13 years. A man has been charged with indecent assault following the rescue of a South African boy who had allegedly been held captive in a dark room for 13 years.
The boy, known as Bongani, is said to be traumatised and recoils from bright lights. He was allegedly seized when he was just five years old.The boy, known as Bongani, is said to be traumatised and recoils from bright lights. He was allegedly seized when he was just five years old.
A police spokeswoman told the BBC that they were trying to trace his parents.A police spokeswoman told the BBC that they were trying to trace his parents.
Bongani was reportedly rescued last week from a house in Durban after neighbours heard screams.Bongani was reportedly rescued last week from a house in Durban after neighbours heard screams.
"There must be a parent somewhere crying out for their missing child and hoping that one day he would return," Wentworth Trauma Room co-ordinator Arlene Muller told South Africa's Daily News."There must be a parent somewhere crying out for their missing child and hoping that one day he would return," Wentworth Trauma Room co-ordinator Arlene Muller told South Africa's Daily News.
"We have started a massive search for his family. We have circulated his picture at taxi ranks, shops and halls hoping that a sister, brother or relative would recognise him," she said."We have started a massive search for his family. We have circulated his picture at taxi ranks, shops and halls hoping that a sister, brother or relative would recognise him," she said.
She said Bongani only talks when lights are switched off.She said Bongani only talks when lights are switched off.
Superintendent Phindile Radebe told the BBC News website that Bongani was now being cared for by the authorities.Superintendent Phindile Radebe told the BBC News website that Bongani was now being cared for by the authorities.
She said the man, who appeared in Durban magistrates court, could be charged with other offences as investigations are still continuing.She said the man, who appeared in Durban magistrates court, could be charged with other offences as investigations are still continuing.