Heroic police officer saves missing child

A CHILD who went missing early Monday morning (April 29) was found safe in Montclair on the same day, thanks to Sergeant Noma Mnguni of the Montclair SAPS.

Lethokuhle Shamase (6), a learner at Woodlands Primary School, was found a few hours after he was reported missing to the police.

Also read: Montclair SAPS embark on children’s safety awareness campaign

According to Mnguni, Lethokuhle was found resting under the shade of a tree – a few metres away from his school.

Mnguni played a pivotal role in the safe return of a missing child to his family. The incident unfolded when concerned parents reported their son missing to the police, sparking a frantic search effort throughout the neighborhood.

Undeterred by the challenges of the task at hand, Mnguni immediately sprang into action, conducting thorough foot patrols in the area. With a keen eye and unwavering determination, she scoured every nook and cranny, leaving no stone unturned in her quest to reunite the lost child with his loved ones.

After a diligent search, Mnguni’s efforts bore fruit when she stumbled upon the missing boy resting under the shade of a tree. With a sigh of relief, she swiftly approached the child, ensuring his safety and well-being before gently guiding him back to his anxious parents.

Also read: Update: Missing Zimbabwean teenager found alive in Durban

“The reunion was a moment of pure joy and gratitude as tears of relief streamed down the faces of the family members. Their heartfelt thanks echoed through the neighbourhood, a testament to the police’s unwavering commitment to serving and protecting our community,” said Mnguni.

The mother of the child, Nokubonga Shamase, applauded the Montclair Police for their swift action in locating her son.

“Sergeant Mnguni was helpful because she managed to find my son on the same day. He was found near the sports ground,” said Shamase.

According to the Missing Children South Africa’s statistics, 77% of children in South Africa are found, while at least 23% are either never found, trafficked or found dead. The statistics revealed that children are also the most vulnerable victims of gender-based violence.

Missing Children South Africa shares the following safety tips:

1. Do not wait for 24 hours before reporting a child as missing to the police.
2. The first 24 hours are crucial, and there is no waiting period to report a person as missing.
3. Parents are urged to teach children that even people they know can try to harm them.
4. Always keep a recent photograph of a child, so that the photo will be readily available in case of an emergency.
5. Make an effort to know your child’s friends – know their names, addresses and numbers.
6. Be involved in your child’s life, but don’t force it. Build a trusting relationship and create a home environment where they want to be and bring their friends to visit.
7. Teach your children their own names and addresses as well as your name and telephone number.
8. Keep your children close to home and teach them the importance of the buddy system – never go anywhere alone.
9. Take your children to the nearest police station, hospital and clinic to show them how to find them easily; point out landmarks to prevent them from getting lost.
10. Teach your children never to take the same route to and from places. Plan different routes, walk them with your children and then decide each day which route they must take. If your child goes missing, you can start looking on the discussed route.
11. Parents with special-needs children are advised to get them bracelets with emergency contact numbers on the bracelet.
12. Teach children not to get into cars with strangers.

Important numbers:

SAPS: 10111
Missing Children South Africa 072 647 7464
SAPS CrimeStop: 086 001 0111
Childline South Africa: 080 005 5555 or 116
Gender-based violence: 080 042 8428
Human Trafficking Hotline: 080 022 2777

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