Missing Nirvana Hills child found at friend’s house
Malvern police alert parents and children to keep an open relationship.
PARENTS, guardians and children have been advised to keep the lines of communication open to prevent tragedies.
This follows a report of a missing child from a local school in Nirvana Hills recently.
W/O Radhika Marimuthu, Malvern SAPS communications officer, said the police, together with the neighbourhood watches; North Park, Mosley and Queensburgh Crime Watch, started searching the area.
“Messages were sent out through social media to inform the community about the missing child.
“The search continued throughout the night,” said Marimuthu.
In the morning information was received that the child was at a sleepover at a friend’s house and was located in Mulberry Park. “He did not discuss and receive permission from his parents. Parents and children need to share information daily.
“Failure to do this can result in all forms of tragedies. Parents who are hosting any kind of function for children irrespective of the age groups must have the contact numbers, addresses and consent of parents to obviate these problems,” said Marimuthu.
She added that in the same vein all parents should know where their children were and with whom.
“This concept of parenting is not negotiable, but rather the benchmark that every parent should cast in stone. Children should also be taught to inform parents of where, with whom and how they spend their days . This open line of communication is the pivot of a safer society for children of all ages.
“The buddy system is taught at all schools in the area and with the current school safety programme this concept will be reinforced,” she said.
The Station Commander Lt/Col Valarine Reddy thanked the community for their dedicated effort in the search for the child and reaffirmed that Malvern police has a total commitment to the safety of all , moreover the wellbeing of all children .
