Watch: Joburg parents urge public to stop hampering search for missing toddler
Social media rumours claiming the search for a missing child has been halted and alleging police corruption have been dismissed by a councillor.
Official rescue operations and police investigations remain active 15 days after two-year-old Milano Jayson Tlali was reported missing. He was last seen near Glenesk Welfare Park in Johannesburg South.
In a video shared on social media, Milano’s father, Teboho Tlali, thanked South Africans for their continued support but urged people to allow the official investigation to continue without interference, reports the Southern Courier.
“Today marks 15 days without any possible leads as to the whereabouts of our son,” he said.
“We would like people to just stay out of the case. Leave it to the two registered organisations working alongside SAPS, which is National Missing Persons and Missing in Southern Africa, alongside a local councillor, Hope of the People and MTR Responders.”
Tlali thanked everyone who has supported the family since Milano disappeared.
“We just want to say thank you to everyone for your assistance towards our son’s case. We truly appreciate it and we hope and pray to find our son as soon as possible.”
Milano’s mother, Monique Tlali, echoed the plea, asking people to stop interfering in the case.
“I would just like to ask that everybody interfering in my son’s case, please can you all just back aside.
“With your interference, we’ve literally gotten nowhere. So I would just like to ask, can you guys please just back off and just let us find our son.”
She also appealed to anyone with information about Milano’s whereabouts to contact SAPS or the organisations officially assisting with the investigation.
“I would also like to ask that anybody with information, please, please, can you just contact SAPS as soon as possible with the two organisations that my husband has mentioned.”
Milano was reported missing on June 30 after he was last seen near Glenesk Welfare Park in Johannesburg South. His disappearance prompted an extensive search involving SAPS, emergency services, community volunteers and missing persons organisations.
As previously reported by the Southern Courier, specialist search teams also searched Wemmer Pan Dam following information received during the investigation.
However, the operation was called off on July 2 after no evidence was found linking Milano’s disappearance to the dam.
The investigation remains ongoing, with SAPS continuing to follow up on information while working alongside the registered missing persons organisations assisting the family.
The Tlali family has urged members of the public to refrain from spreading unverified information or interfering with the investigation, saying they remain hopeful that Milano will be found.
Councillor dismisses rumours surrounding search
Ward 57 councillor Faeeza Chame has dismissed rumours circulating on social media claiming that Moffat View SAPS is corrupt and that the investigation into Milano Jayson Tlali’s disappearance has been placed on hold.
Chame said these claims were false and could undermine the investigation and cause further distress to the family.
She confirmed that the investigation remains active, with SAPS continuing to follow up on information received and working alongside rescue teams, emergency services and other stakeholders involved in the search.
“SAPS has not abandoned this case. The investigation remains active, and a dedicated team is working exclusively on finding baby Milano and pursuing every possible lead,” Chame said.
She urged residents to avoid spreading unverified information and encouraged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to report it directly to SAPS.
“Our focus must remain on one objective: finding Milano and ensuring that the family receives the answers they deserve,” she said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Moffat View SAPS on 071 675 6330 or report the information to the nearest police station.
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