LIMPOPO – Provincial police have intensified the search operation for two siblings, seven-year-old Kamogelo Raphasha (7) and her younger sister Tshegofatso (6), who have been missing since Monday (August 23).
The missing girls from Marobjane village in Senwabarwana policing area were last seen at around 17:45. According to police reports the siblings left their home in the company of a 26-year-old female relative who is said to be mentally challenged. Family of the girls reported them missing on Tuesday, and an immediate search operation was launched.
Police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo says the police in conjunction with the K9 unit and local residents searched the area throughout the night and eventually located the said relative at a bus stop in at ga-Teffo village. “The provincial police commissioner, Lt Genl Thembi Hadebe ordered all relevant resources to intensify the search operations and on Wednesday the operation was joined by the Search and Rescue unit and the Airwing unit where a police helicopter assisted in the search.”
Mojapelo explains that the search operation continues in the areas such as Avon, Pickum, ga-Machaba, ga-Rammutla, Bull-Bull, Mashaleng and Lethaleng as well as the adjacent bushes. “All relevant resources such the Mounted unit, the Airwing unit, K9, Search and Rescue teams from Makhado, Polokwane and Thohoyandou as well as members of the Emergency Medical Services have be deployed to assist in the search operation.”
Hadebe calls on the detectives attached to the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, Women’s Network, Men for Change and all senior female officers to support the operatives during the search operation.
“We will not rest until the two are found. Our girls are our pride, hands off them,” she says
Mojapelo concludes that the police calls on community members to assist in the search. “We call on anyone with information on the whereabouts of these children to contact their nearest police station.”
Alternatively they can contact Cpt Albert Manaka on 082 414 6634, Const Frans Seema on 079 8401 780, the Crime Stop number on 086 001 0111 or via the MySAPSpp.
