Steps to follow when reporting a missing person

THERE is no waiting period for reporting a missing person if you truly believe that he or she has disappeared.

This is a piece of advice from Lieutenant Colonel Nqobile Gwala, a spokesperson of KwaZulu-Natal SAPS, following the recent escalation of missing persons reported in the province. Col Gwala, who is concerned about this issue, shares the steps for people to follow when reporting a missing person in South Africa.

Also read: No 24 hour waiting period to report a missing person – Amanzimtoti SAPS

“The public is urged to inform the police immediately following the disappearance of a person.  You do not have to wait for 24 hours before reporting the incident to the police. Many people still have a false belief that before reporting a missing person they need to wait for 24 hours. If a person goes missing, a family member, friend, or neighbour is at liberty to report the incident immediately,” she advises.

She added that those who do not have a picture of a missing person can bring a copy of his or her identity book or smartcard when reporting an incident to the police.

Here are the steps to follow when reporting a case of a missing person to the police:

• Report a missing person at your nearest police station immediately.
• Produce a recent photograph or identity (ID) of the missing person.
• Give a complete description of the missing person’s last whereabouts, the clothes that they were wearing, as well as any information that can assist the investigating officer.
• Complete and sign a SAPS 55(A) form. This form safeguards the SAPS from hoax reports and indemnifies the SAPS from distributing the photograph and information of the missing person.
• Obtain the investigating officer’s contact details and send any additional information that may become available.
• If a missing person is found or returns voluntarily, inform the investigating officer immediately.
• Upon their return, an SAPS 92 form must be completed to inform the Bureau of Missing Persons that the missing person’s report can be removed from the circulation system.

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