Father pleads for the safe return of missing wife and 4-year-old son

A distraught Standerton man appeals to anyone with any information that could lead to the whereabouts of his wife and four-year-old son, who have been reported missing, to come forward.

Coetzee Taljaard said he does not know what to do and is waiting by the phone, all day and all night, for a glimmer of hope from someone who may know what happened to his family.

Missing mother and child

His wife Luschka and young son, Daniël Taljaard, have been missing since 11am on 5 January, with no sign of their whereabouts.

The mother and child were last seen at the Hendrina Nursing Home with a person reportedly called “Aunt Lynette”.

According to Coetzee, his family never returned home after they were seen at the nursing home.

“Luschka would have gone to Pick n Pay from there. She drives a silver Volkswagen Polo. The vehicle was found next to the road on 6 January, at Kwazamokuhle in Hendrina, and was locked and the lights were switched on.”

Car found

A broken necklace was also reportedly seen inside the vehicle, according to the information provided with no signs of Luschka, Daniël or any suspects.

Coetzee told The Citizen he has no idea what happened to his family, how they went missing and is pleading for them to be returned unharmed.

No information

He said there has been no ransom demands.

“Anybody that knows something, please contact somebody, contact me, contact the police. I really don’t know anymore.”

“At the moment, I will do anything to get my family back,” he said.

Investigations

Several WhatsApp groups have also been created to share awareness about the missing mother and child with members urged to help search for Luschka and Daniël.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala told The Citizen authorities are investigating the incident.

“We have opened a missing person’s case and urge anyone with information related to the case to contact the police,” he said.

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