Parties march for missing teacher

The Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighter joined hands again when more then 300 supporters marched to Soshanguve police station to call on police to shed light on the case of missing teacher Philile Gumede.

The 28-year-old woman graduated with an honours degree in education from the Tshwane University of Technology and was working as a teacher at Baleseng Secondary School.

According to Soshanguve police, she was last seen with her boyfriend, who allegedly dropped her off at Soshanguve Crossing Mall on April 22.

Police spokesperson Constable Zanele Mtsweni said they visited the mall to check the footage, but she was not visible.

Her brother, Owen Gumede, also told the police that an anonymous caller had seen Philile, but when they viewed the footage from the restaurant where she was allegedly seen, they found it was someone who fitted Philile’s description.

The brother yesterday said Baleseng Secondary School management told the family that the department of education would not allow them to join the march.

“The department disappointed us, as a family, for not letting children and teachers be part of the march, because Philile was employed by them,” Gumede said.

Gumede said it was unacceptable that no one has been arrested so far. City of Tshwane speaker Katlego Mathebe said the police and Minister of Police Fikile Mbalula should also prioritise the fight against human trafficking.

“The minister of police must have a unit to focus on issues of human trafficking,” Mathebe said.

Mathebe added that South Africa is targeted as a transit point for human trafficking and that they did not see the police and Mbalula stating how they were going to deal with crime.

Marchers carried placards saying: “Bring back our girls”.

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