WATCH: Bikers ride through Johannesburg as search for missing baby Milano reaches 90 days
A biker ride brought the community together in support of three-year-old Milano Tladi and his family as investigators continue following leads.
The search for missing three-year-old Baby Milano Tladi remains ongoing as his family and supporters continue to appeal for information, 90 days after he was last seen.
A biker ride was held in Johannesburg on Saturday, October 2, bringing together bikers, emergency responders, law enforcement agencies, community organisations and members of the public in support of Milano and other missing children.
The event, hosted at Tuffontein Primary School by Missing in Southern Africa (MISA), was held just days after Milano’s third birthday on October 1.
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Instead of celebrating his birthday with their son, Milano’s parents, Monique and Thebogo Tladi, still live with uncertainty about his whereabouts.
Milano was last seen on June 30, and there has been no confirmed sighting of him since.
Symbolic convoy
The event included a symbolic biker ride to Glenesk, where Milano was last seen.
The convoy was intended to keep his disappearance in the public eye while showing support for his family and other families whose children remain missing.
WATCH: Glenesk parents urge public to stop interfering as search for Milano reaches day 15
Among those supporting the initiative were representatives from MISA, Missing in SA Search and Rescue, Chaplains South Africa, Voice of Justice NPO, ER24, Booysens SAPS, MSS Security, biker clubs, tow truck operators and other community organisations.
Captain Mpane Mpiko of the Johannesburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), who is investigating Milano’s disappearance, used the event to renew the appeal for information.
He said investigators do not yet have confirmed information about Milano’s whereabouts but continue to follow leads and investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
The police appeal comes as the family marks another difficult milestone without knowing where their child is.
Searches continue
Investigators have also conducted additional searches based on information received during the case.
Specialist search teams searched Wemmer Pan Dam after receiving information during the investigation.
The operation was called off on July 2 after investigators found no evidence linking Milano’s disappearance to the dam.
MISA head of communications Priya Ranchod said the biker ride was about keeping attention on Milano and the many other children who remain missing.
Ranchod said: “Every missing child matters. Every lead matters. Every family deserves answers.”
She said the organisation was grateful to the bikers, volunteers, organisations, sponsors and community members who supported the initiative.
The event also provided an opportunity for community outreach.
Party packs and cake were distributed to children at the venue, while adults received food and refreshments.
Food and cake were also donated to residents of Pioneer Old Age Home.
For Milano’s family, however, the search remains the priority.
Anyone with information that could help investigators locate Milano is urged to contact Captain Mpiko at 082 370 7654.
WATCH: Glenesk parents urge public to stop interfering as search for Milano reaches day 15
