Community mobilised in search for missing 5-year-old

About 100 community members and members of Tumahole and Parys SAPS this morning joined hands in the search for missing 5-year-old Keith Sithole. (Her name has since the original reports had been sent out,  confirmed to be Keith Sithole and not Ruth Sithole as was originally stated).

Keith was last seen on Friday in the area of Letshaba Street, Tumahole at about 14:00, wearing a black dress with green flowers and black shoes.

According to Keith’s mom, Kelly, she came from school and walked to a neighbouring house to buy some iced cold drink. When she could not find any, she went to a nearby tuck shop where she was last seen. The tuck shop is within a 1km radius from her home.

Kelly said Keith was not a child who walked around. The family searched for her and reported her as missing at the Tumahole SAPS on Saturday. Since then, police members and members of the K9 Unit from Welkom searched for her relentlessly over the weekend.

Pamphlets were distributed this morning at a gathering at the taxi rank in Tumahole from where the public and police members  were divided into search teams by Lt Col Juanita J. van Rensburg, station commander of the Tumahole SAPS.

It was indicated on a map which areas would be searched on foot and specifically asked that people also pay attention to furrows and open manholes into which she could possibly fall.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the little girl is requested to call the Tumahole Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offenses Unit D/Sergeant Noliyiswa Masondo on 082 049 5208, WO Kgayane on 071 891 4321, Ruth’s mother on 078 705 7487 or a neighbour, Keke Theletsane on 079 864 0378. You can also phone the Tumahole police station.

Alternatively, the Crime Stop number can be called on 08600 10111, or an anonymous tip can be dropped on the MySAPS App.