Family worried as ‘shoplifter’ goes missing (again) after court appearance
Although her family last saw her on July 24, she has since been arrested and released from the Kempton Park holding cells on July 26.
The family of Birch Acres resident Maria Moureen Thema (44) is desperately looking for her after she was last seen on July 24 at her home.
Although her family last saw her on July 24, she had since been arrested and released from Kempton Park holding cells on July 26.
Maria is living with her brother Herman Thema in Birch Acres and it was when he didn’t find her home on Wednesday afternoon that they realised she had gone missing.
“My brother at first thought she had just gone out and would return but panic set in when hours went by and she didn’t return,” said Robert Thema, who is also Maria’s brother.
“We started looking for her but we couldn’t find her.”
When the family went to open a missing person’s report at Norkem Park SAPS on July 26, they made a discovery that Maria had been arrested.
“We were told Maria was arrested on the same day she went missing on charges of shoplifting,” said Robert.
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“Police said she appeared in court and was released on the morning of July 26. Although police say she was released, she still hasn’t returned home.”
Sgt Dipuo Ditshego, deputy spokesperson for Kempton Park SAPS, confirmed that Maria appeared in Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on charges of shoplifting, but was released after being released on a warning.
The family is even more worried about Maria’s safety as she is originally from Limpopo and not familiar with Kempton Park.
“Maria moved to Kempton Park in June and she doesn’t have friends or know anyone else, except her family. We are even more worried because she is mentally unstable,” said Robert.
“We have put up posters and continue to search for her and appeal to anyone who has seen her or might have an idea of her whereabouts to contact us.”
Maria has short hair, a gap between her two top front teeth and is 1.76m in height.
Anyone who has information regarding Maria can contact Robert on 060 468 5083, 083 390 9747 or 083 740 2908.
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