PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER CAUTIONS PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO BE ALERT ABOUT THE WHEREABOUTS OF CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES
POLOKWANE: The Provincial Commissioner of Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe is cautioning parents and guardians to always be vigilant and alert about the whereabouts of the children at all times.
This follows after a three year-old child, Umphile Mahlobogwane
allegedly went missing while visiting a family at Matabane farm in Roossenekal Policing area under Sekhukhune District on Saturday 07 January 2023.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the child was playing with a twelve year-old boy when she saw a donkey and ran away into the bushes and disappeared because she was afraid of it. Police were alerted about the missing child and an immediate search operation commenced with the assistance of Limpopo Provincial Diving Team, Dennilton and Modimolle K9 Dog Units although they struggled to get to the scene because the Tubatse river was flooded and the search had to be suspended due to safety concerns..
On Sunday 08 January at about 19:00, the missing child was found alive at a nearby mountain by the members of the community after they heard her crying loudly in the darkness and informed the police. Upon their arrival, they found the child unharmed and took her to St Rita’s Hospital for medical observation and was safely reunited with her family.
“I would like to warn everyone to be extra careful about the whereabouts of the children at all times to avoid the missing of minor children in the province which might end up negative through injuries and death. Anyone who does not comply will be arrested and charged with child neglect and will subsequently be prosecuted” concluded Lieutenant General Hadebe.
