As the school holidays get underway, community-based organisation Ilitha Labantu has urged parents and caregivers to remain vigilant following two separate incidents involving missing children in Cape Town.

The minors, a six-year-old girl from Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East and an eleven-year-old girl from Delft, were both found safe after going missing over the weekend.

Although both children were later located, Ilitha Labantu said the cases highlight persistent concerns around child safety and supervision, particularly during school holiday periods.

Spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali said: “These cases highlight persistent challenges in ensuring the safety and protection of children, particularly during school holiday periods when regular supervision structures are often disrupted.”

In the first case, a six-year-old girl was last seen playing with friends around 4pm on Saturday.

Her mother said she was found on Tuesday morning by a woman living in Lower Crossroads.

“She said she found my daughter around 8pm, she claimed she looked for me, and then when they couldn’t find me, she took her to her house,” the mother said.

“She brought her back on Tuesday, I’m just happy that my daughter is back home with me.”

In a separate incident, an 11-year-old girl who had gone to visit her father in Roosendal was also reported missing.

“She visited her father on Sunday and left the house around 3pm. We didn’t know that she left him, we thought she was sleeping over there, and when her father called and asked for her, we were shocked,” her mother explained.

“We started looking for her the whole night, and only on Tuesday morning, her aunt said she had her with her.”

Monakali noted that while the outcomes were ultimately positive, the emotional distress experienced by the families and the mobilisation of community resources reflected “avoidable gaps in communication and coordination”.

“South Africa continues to face a high prevalence of missing children, and many cases do not end safely,” said Monakali.

“According to Missing Children South Africa, an average of 1,697 children are reported missing every year, underscoring the urgent need for consistent and proactive measures to safeguard their well-being.”

He added that parents, caregivers, and community members bear a shared responsibility to monitor children’s movements and to communicate clearly with one another, especially when children are in the care of relatives or trusted adults.

“It is essential that this information is shared promptly with their primary caregivers to avoid unnecessary distress and confusion,” Monakali said.

“Children must be taught never to leave with anyone without explicit permission, and any instances of a child going missing must be reported to the South African Police Service without delay. There is no waiting period to report a missing person, and prompt action can be critical in ensuring a safe outcome.”

He further warned that many township communities in Cape Town, such as Delft and Marikana, are particularly vulnerable due to a lack of public amenities, recreational facilities, and safe spaces for children.

These conditions, he said, stand in stark contrast to the environments available in more affluent areas.

“This disparity contributes to increased vulnerability and fewer opportunities for children to engage in positive, structured activities during school holidays,” he said.

Monakali stressed the importance of stronger public education campaigns, better coordination between local authorities and community organisations, and improved access to support services for families whose children go missing.

“The safety of children depends on proactive, coordinated action by families, communities, and institutions alike. As we enter the school holiday period, it is essential that all stakeholders remain vigilant and committed to creating environments in which children are protected, supported, and fully accounted for.”

Ilitha Labantu, he added, remains committed to working with all sectors of society to ensure that the rights and dignity of every child are respected and upheld.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za

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