Residents have been requested to be careful when reporting cases of missing persons by the Alexandra Police Station.
This after the station was approached by people who surfaced after they were reported as missing. Police spokesperson Captain Stephen Malatji said, “Some of those who turn up come and complain angrily to the police about their picture being splashed in newspapers.” Alex News has reported on some of the cases.
Malatji urged the residents to report only very exceptional cases based on the character of the missing person. “It shouldn’t be those known to disappear after drinking sprees or for reasons best known only to themselves and, leaving behind worried relatives who know of their occasional truancy.
“There are such people who don’t want to be found and don’t care about the effect of their conduct on others.”
He said police resources are limited and should be used only for genuine search missions, crime and to maintain peace. He added that missing persons’ pictures are essential in the search process and are used only with the permission of the person’s relatives to avoid the accusation. Also, Malatji advised that the law now permits the reporting of missing persons soon after an alarm is raised.
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