Mpetsheni is studying business at the Zhejiang University in Hangzhou. 

His mother Nokuthula says the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) has confirmed he was found in a Shanghai prison after being picked up by the local security bureau.

She says they still don't know what charges he is facing, as he has allegedly been instructed by Chinese authorities not to mention them.

"I know absolutely nothing, I don't understand why even DIRCO, [which I visited] myself last week, did not have answers and now that they have the information they don't even want to do a press statement to explain what is going on with my son."

The Chinese Embassy in South Africa last week released a statement stating that their investigation had found that Mphetsheni had graduated in July 2019 and travelled to Thailand on January 26.

His mother says while they are grateful her son is alive, the family suspects there is a cover-up regarding what exactly happened to him. 

"I just hope he still has all his limbs, organs and that mentally he will still be my child."

The department’s Lunga Ngqengelele said they have given the family information about Mpetsheni but cannot confirm the details to the media.

Jacaranda FM