By Ragheema Mclean
Nearly 100 children were reported missing in the Western Cape over the past six months, raising renewed concerns about child safety across the province.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), 98 children under the age of 18 were reported missing during the period. Of those cases, 95 children were safely reunited with their families.
However, SAPS has confirmed that 16 cases involving children remain classified as long-term missing persons cases, commonly referred to as cold cases.
Child protection organisations and crime experts believe the true scale of the problem extends far beyond the official figures.
Speaking to VOC News, National Co-ordinator of Missing Children South Africa, Bianca van Aswegen, said many cases involving missing children are never reported to the police.
“Those figures reflect only the cases we’re aware of that were reported to the police. The statistics provide only a general indication of the problem because so many cases go unreported,” Van Aswegen said.
“We have people living in rural areas who are unable to get to police stations. We’re seeing a large number of people turning to social media instead of reporting cases to the police, and there are also people who lack trust in the police, and therefore do not open cases. So, the nearly 100 children reported missing represent only the cases we know about. The problem is far worse when you consider all the children who have disappeared but have never been reported.”
She urged families to report missing children to the police immediately, stressing that every report improves the chances of locating a child safely.
Listen to the full interview below:
Photo: Pexels
