WHILE there seems to be an increase in missing people in the province, Police spokesperson Colonel Thembeka Mbele says there is nothing for the community to concerned about.
Almost 20 people in the province have been reported missing since the beginning of February.
Meanwhile, 31 year old Shakira Maharaj of Windermere Road in Morningside, who went missing on 1 March, was found on Saturday and has been reunited with her family.
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According to figures released to the SA Police Service’ Bureau of Missing Persons, a total of 38 230 have disappeared since 1995.
A total of 3 372 of these people were under the age of 18 when they disappeared, with males accounting for the bulk of the missing persons at 24 021 compared to 14 209 females.
With a whopping 19 322 missing persons since 1995, Gauteng accounted for the most missing persons followed by KwaZulu-Natal at 6 673 and then Western Cape with 3 094 missing.
Northern Cape had the least number of missing persons at 644, followed by the North West with 1 130 and the Limpopo province with 1 255.
Speaking to the Berea Mail, Colonel Mbele said: “There is no spike in the number of missing persons in the province. The number of the missing persons cannot be released since it amounts to crime statistics of which is the prerogative of only the Minister of Police to release. There is nothing for the community to be concerned about. There is no specific age group of missing persons. The reported missing persons are in all age groups, in different parts of the province and the circumstances around the incidents are totally different. They cannot be linked in any way.”
You can assist SAPS when reporting a missing person by following these steps:
– There is no waiting period to report a missing person.
– Report a missing person at your nearest police station immediately.
– Produce a recent photograph of the missing person, if possible.
– Give a complete description of the missing person’s last whereabouts, clothes that they were wearing, as well as any information that can assist the investigating officer.
– Complete and sign a SAPS 55(A) form. This form safeguards the SAPS from hoax reports and indemnifies the SAPS to distribute the photograph and information of the missing person.
– Obtain the investigating officer’s contact details, and send any additional information that might become available.
– If a missing person is found or returns voluntarily, inform the investigating officer immediately. A SAPS 92 form must be completed to inform the Bureau of Missing Persons that the missing person’s report can be removed from the circulation system.
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