Missing Thinasonke boy found safe in Thokoza

Update: November 2

After being reported missing on October 31 at about 19:00, Bomi Dambuza has been found safe and sound in Thokoza.

Warrant Officer Gerhard Cornelius, Brackendowns SAPS spokesperson said on November 1 members of the public alerted SAPS and Brackendowns CPF of the possible whereabouts of the boy.

“The information was followed up and the boy was in fact found at a house where he was kept safe by residents of Thokoza,” he said.

Cornelius said the boy was found without any injuries and no foul play was suspected.

Breaking News:

Brackendowns SAPS would like to request the community to assist in finding a missing child, Bomi Dambuza.

It is reported that the 8-year-old boy went missing from Thinasonke Extension 4 on October 31 at 4:30 pm.

According to Brackendowns SAPS spokesperson Warrant Officer Gerhard Cornelius, It is alleged that the complainant’s brother last saw the missing child.

“According to the brother, the mother called him and he went to the mother but never arrived,” he said.

Cornelius said the complainant reported her child missing on October 31 at about 19:00 and a case of a missing child has been opened at Brackendowns SAPS.

“Police members are sensitized and searched for the child for almost 2 hours going from surrounding home to home. Search still underway,” added Cornelius.

Should you have any information about the whereabouts of the missing child, contact  Brackendowns SAPS at 011 617 5600.

According to Missing Children South Africa, a child goes missing every five hours in our country. As parents, we don’t want our children to live in fear. Still, we live in a world where bad things happen.

In the wake of the recent kidnappings, which have made headlines over the last few days, we chat to Fidelity ADT on tips to keep our kids safe.

Safety tips to teach your kids

• Children must always walk to or from school with a friend or friends. Stick to streets they know and never take shortcuts through quiet areas or empty parking lots and never walk with cell phones and iPads in full view.
• If they get picked up at school, they should never leave the premises but always wait inside the school grounds for their lift to arrive.
• Younger children particularly must never get into a stranger’s car– even if the stranger claims that someone they love is hurt and that they have been sent to pick them up. Remind them that you would never send someone they don’t know to fetch them.
• Consider using a password system. If the person coming to collect you from school cannot repeat the password that you and your child agreed on, they should not get into the car but immediately ask for help.
• If a stranger approaches your child, they should not talk to them no matter how friendly they may seem. If someone tries to grab them, they need to fight, kick and shout.
• If your child does encounter any suspicious activity, encourage them to get a good look and memorise their physical details and clothing, as well as the vehicle they are in. Listen for any names or other details that might help identify them later.
• Make sure your children memorise their full names, address, and phone number. Using a play phone, teach them when and how to dial 10111. If they are older they should have some emergency numbers programmed into their phone or consider having a safety App on their phone.