Spotlight on Mariannhill missing person cases

AFTER 43 people have been reported missing in the Mariannhill area since the beginning of 2018, the community is on high alert and are deeply concerned about their safety.

Almost each week, a report of a missing person from the Mariannhill area is circulated.

The latest case was of a 22-year-old mother and her three-month-old baby. On Friday, 12 October, police issued a statement that the two returned home on Thursday and she informed the police that she was with her aunt in the Clairwood area.

Since the beginning of the year, Highway Mail learnt that 43 people were reported missing in the Mariannhill area with four still missing.

In February, a story of a young woman made headlines after her body was discovered in a shallow grave, two weeks after her disappearance.

Xolisile Chonco went missing on her birthday and her boyfriend and boyfriend’s brother were arrested for her murder.

The Highway Mail visited Mariannhill SAPS communications officer, Capt Marcelino Harold, to get more information on this trend.

ALSO READ: Police search for missing Mariannhill teen

Capt Harold said these incidents are scary and Mariannhill SAPS services about 10 areas which include KwaSanti, Dassenhoek, Klaarwater, Auckland, Nagina among others.

Harold told the Highway Mail the circumstances leading to these cases are usually linked to domestic violence, accidents, crime activities such as robberies which sometimes lead to murder or when young people visit their boyfriends or go to parties during weekends.

Mental illnesses are also contributing factors.

“With the 43 people who have been reported missing, we still have four unresolved cases. Two human remains were found in a bush in May and DNA tests are being done to see if they are related to any of the unsolved cases,” he said.

Although Harold did not want to speculate, there are some rumours that it might be a Mpola couple who was reported missing in January and last seen in December. They have not been found and there have been no new leads in their case.

He said most people who are reported missing are usually between 14 and 30 years of age.

ALSO READ: Another man goes missing in Mariannhill

Harold said so far, the discovery and removal of the two skeletal remains has been the most traumatic incident for him.

“The unresolved cases becomes an emotional burden and constant pain for the families. They are traumatised and fearful for the safety of loved ones.”

He advised people to open a report immediately if they suspect their loved ones might be missing.

“There is no waiting period. They should bring with them some sort of identification such as a photograph so that it can be distributed,” he said.

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