MOKOPANE – In 2013, the MPB recorded 1697 cases of missing children reported to the South African Police Service.
“Our case load increases every year – not necessarily only because more individuals go missing, but also because more people become aware of Missing Children SA and the service we render,” said Bianca van Aswegen (National Case Officer for Missing persons bureau).
A total of 485 adults and children went missing and 312 were found during 1 May 2016 – 30 April this year.
According to Van Aswegen they have an overall success rate of 64%.
“For the children’s cases alone our success rate is 80%. It is an unfortunate reality that 9% of the children that were found again, were deceased. Every year we see the success rate decrease we cannot say for a fact that it is because fewer people are found again, or perhaps because more cases are reported to our organisation.”
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Van Aswegen said: “We strive on a daily basis to make more and more people aware of the reality of Human Trafficking. We are sure more cases reported to SAPS as well as to our organisation are because of Human Trafficking, but at this stage it cannot be proven. According to the International Labour Organisation it is estimated that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year. Furthermore, 32 billion dollars profit is generated annually from Human Trafficking.”
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Missing Children SA is a registered Non Profit Organization that assists the authorities when an individual goes missing in South Africa, for any reason whatsoever. “We work closely with the South African Police Service and other government bodies as well as other NGO’s and private initiatives, to assist in the recovery and safe return of any missing person.”
redaksie.bosvelder@nmgroup.co.za
