Mbalula shares how to report missing persons
Contrary to popular belief, there is no waiting period to report a missing person.
Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula during a press briefing at the SAPS training acadamy regarding tommorow’s nation wide marches by oposition parties, 11 April 2017, Pretoria. Picture: Jacques Nelles
In the wake of Karabo Mokoena’s murder, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula has taken sit upon himself to educate South Africans on how to report missing persons. While people were misled into thinking they had to wait 24 hours before reporting a missing person, Mbalula there was no such thing as a waiting period.
“When a person goes missing, it is of the utmost importance for the SAPS to fulfil our mandate to serve and protect the citizens of South Africa. It is essential to take steps and start the investigation into a missing person’s case immediately.
“There is no waiting period to report missing persons. This we have changed to make our investigations into missing persons quicker to resolve. When you suspect your loved one is missing, immediately report to your nearest police station with their most recent photograph, an investigator will be allocated to your case and an investigation to find the person will immediately kick-start. While acknowledging the usefulness of Social Media in spreading the message, I will stress the importance of reporting to your nearest SAPS Police Station,” said Mbalula.
However, this needed members of the public to help in reporting such matters. These are the steps to take to report a missing person at your nearest police station:
- 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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