The Moti brothers are still missing and on Sunday, the youngest of the four siblings, Zidan turned seven.
What’s the latest on Moti brothers?
The boy’s birthday fell on the 18th day of he and his brothers’ disappearance.
Zila (15), Alaan (13), Zayyad (11) and Zidan were abducted on their way to school on the morning of Wednesday 20 October 2021.
It’s believed seven armed men accosted the driver of the vehicle carrying the siblings and sped off with them in a black Mercedes Benz and a white Kia Sorento.
The incident took place on the R37, near the N1 bypass in Polokwane, Limpopo.
The children of Nazim and Shakir Moti, prominent businesspeople from Nirvana, Polokwane, have not been heard from since.
According to authorities, the siblings’ cellphones were recovered about 4.3km away from the kidnapping scene, in Flora Park.
This small trail of evidence, along with the witness account of the driver who was left behind, has not yielded any leads, 19 days later.
Tributes pour in for little Zidan
On his birthday, perhaps the first he’s spent without his parents, Zidan received pouring tributes from concerned locals who’ve grown emotionally invested in the heartbreaking story of the Moti brothers.
Here are some of the tributes we sourced from social media:
Happy birthday Zidan Moti!
— zaahira hassim 🪐 (@zaa_hv_ira) November 7, 2021
I hope wherever you are you safe , and you & your brothers know how much we are thinking of you and praying for your safe return!#MotiBrothers
A day with laughter and family is now a day filled with fear and sadness.
— simultaneously sleeping (@SheikFaizaan) November 6, 2021
Tommorow Zidan Moti turns 7 💔 💔💔
Today is Zidan Moti's 7th birthday. Zidan should be at home celebrating with his parents. Please bring the Moti brothers home! Maybe Twitter can help? Retweet and share, let’s not rest until the brothers are home safe with their parents. #motibrothers pic.twitter.com/6v2sanBTkS
— Bram Hanekom (@bram_hanekom) November 7, 2021
Dear SA. Today as we wake the Moti parents wake to agony as their little boy Zidan should be at home celebrating his 7th Birthday.
— CATHERINE Constantinides (@ChangeAgentSA) November 7, 2021
But along with his brothers Zayyad, Alaan & Zia all kidnapped almost 3wks ago they have not returned home! #MotiBrothers
We must keep praying! 🙏🏽🕯 pic.twitter.com/3Gb1CjMLC7
From what we understand, no attempts to make contact with the Moti family have been made by the abductors thus far.