POLOKWANE – Polokwane Police Spokesperson, Capt Ntobeng Phala, is calling on parents to be aware of where their children are at all times.
“In the world we live in, children often make easy targets for criminals. This is why we embark on awareness campaigns in the city to urge residents to be aware of where their children are at all times. It is better to be safe than sorry,” Phala said.
He said people should regularly check on their children’s whereabouts, especially younger children. Phala suggested that when people allow their children to play away from home, they play in areas where they are well known and will be missed if they should disappear.
According to Missing Children South Africa, a child goes missing every five hours in South Africa, these statistics are also reflected in the South African Police Service Missing Persons Bureau report.
Fortunately, according to Missing Children South Africa’s statistics, 77% of children are found. Sadly, this still leaves us with at least 23% of the children not being located which is why Phala is adamant that it is better for parents to be proactive when it comes to looking after their children. He said it is always better to know your child is safe rather than searching for said who has gone missing.
