By Theodorah Mawasha
BOLOBEDU-The local South African Police Service (SAPS) in the Greater Letaba Municipality have expressed concern about the growing number of missing people in the district.
According to the police, in some cases the missing people do return home unharmed. This problem is a serious cause for concern. Sadly, most of the reported people have not returned home and are untraceable . The police indicate that the most affected villages are in the Mokwakwaila policing area. Sergeant Manganye from Mokwakwaila police station reiterated that the probability of this crime being perpetrated by a syndicate cannot be ruled out, however, investigations thus far have not confirmed this.
The police further states that in the month of January alone, they have more than five people reported missing and still have not been found . “We are gravely concerned because some of the victims leave home at their own peril without informing anyone of their whereabouts . This puts a great strain on our already limited resources. Parents are urged to enforce stricter rules in their households and work together with police” said Sergeant Manganye.
The 15-year-old, Khensani Chabalala from Matipane village has reportedly returned home unharmed after disappearing for a week. Meanwhile, a 19-year-old Karabo Maake and her younger brother Ephraim Mohale allegedly went missing from their home in Ga-Rampepe village on January 24 and are still unaccounted for. Molate Modjadji from Matipane is also still missing after disappearing from his home on December 26.
This is just a few of the cases the police are battling to solve. The police indicate it is alarming because some people go missing for months without a trace like in the case of Dikeledi Karel Sebopetsa, a school teacher at Lerale primary, who went missing on 22 September 2020 on her way to school. “We call on communities to refrain from spreading false information because this deters us from executing our already strenuous task” he added.
To anyone who has information to help police with tracing any missing person, please contact their toll free number 080010111 or visit your nearest local police station for further assistance.
