The teenager is a resident at Mudavula village in the Vhembe district. She allegedly informed her grandfather that she is going back home but she never reached her destination and she disappeared. Attempts to search for her by relatives and friends were unsuccessful. At a later stage, the father contacted Giyani police and reported that the girl was found and safe.

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Rumours from other sources claimed that the girl did not actually go missing but was at a boyfriend’s place. Police say resources are used to investigate a disappearance and parents must at all times make sure where their children are. “There should be constant communication between parents and children. Parents must always know the whereabouts of their children. “They must know the people that hang out with their children and parents should have the phone numbers of the parents of their children’s friends to confirm if their children are actually there, and in that way, they can be able to make sure that their children are safe at all time,” said Sgt Maurice Nkhwashu, spokesperson at the Tzaneen police station.