Missing children is a very real fear for South African adults and parents.
Statistics show that a disappearance occurs every few seconds in South Africa. It can happen to anyone and should be investigated immediately.
Conventional wisdom says that a disappearance cannot be investigated until 24 or 48 hours have passed. This is not true. If someone is missing or missing, please file a report immediately.
what should you do?
How safe are our children?
Here's what you need to know:
When a child goes missing: South Africa's biggest fear
A child goes missing every few seconds in South Africa.
It's a very real fear for most parents and guardians. A child can walk into a crowd or be kidnapped by criminals within seconds.
Do you (or your child) know what to do?
Teaching safety is important no matter the age.
Missing children: what to do
SAPS maintains a missing persons list for ongoing cases.
If your child goes missing, find their last known whereabouts. Call your friends and family. Look at the places around you.
Remember details such as what they were wearing and have a recent photo ready.
If there is a missing person, please report it immediately. There is no waiting time. Contact the South African Police Service immediately.
safety with children
Teach children and young people more about safety.
Does your family have an action plan? Learn important numbers such as your home phone and SAPS (112). Know the location of the police station and always have at least one taxi available.
When you travel in a group, you know where the security cameras are.
Together we can save South Africa.
famous incidents in south africa
The rainbow nation of South Africa has been tarnished by disappearances, including kidnappings, in the 1970s and 1980s. These cases remain unresolved to this day.
No one wants to be a statistician.
If someone is missing, please file a report.
Together we can fight crime and stop children from going missing.
Read more articles by François Jansen (Alex J. Coyne)