A spike in missing children cases in the first week of the school holidays has prompted a strong safety warning from child protection activist Veronique Benji Williams, founder of Faith and Hope Missing Persons, who is urging parents and caregivers to be extra cautious and vigilant.

Benji said her organisation has already responded to at least nine cases involving missing minors under the age of 15 since schools closed — a sharp and immediate increase from usual numbers.

Two of the cases involved a six-year-old girl from the Marikana informal settlement in Philippi East and an eleven-year-old girl from Delft. Both children were found safe after going missing during the first week of the break.

Benji said her team treats every alert with urgency, particularly when it involves younger children.

“0–12 years old, you cannot hesitate, you have to go out immediately. That is a child,” she said. “In teenagers, we find there is a lot of runaways or [children who are] unhappy.”

She also stressed that parents must act without delay when a child disappears.

“Let me say this again: there is no waiting time to report your child missing. We rely on that first 24 hours — it is extremely crucial.”

Benji shared practical advice for parents and caregivers during the school break:

Stay alert in public spaces: “Always keep an eye on your kids. Even when you go shopping — which happens a lot — try and get someone to watch your children at home. Public places are where human traffickers are targeting people.”

Trust your instincts, not just ‘stranger danger’: “Be careful of who you trust around your kids. ‘Stranger danger’ is a thing of the past. Teach them that it’s okay to speak out, to ask questions, and learn to listen.”

Be emotionally present: “Sometimes our kids yearn for that attention. Sometimes they are quietly telling us things but we are not present — by listening. That is why we get a lot of runaway teenagers.”

Talk and engage: “Ask your children questions. Be interested in their lives, who they hang out with. Ask them for contact numbers for in case of emergencies. This way, when they do go out, you will know. I believe prevention is better than cure.”

Use old-school tools too: “It might seem old-school, but I believe it can also play a crucial role in writing the child’s name inside his or her clothes.”

Benji also encouraged parents to check in with family, friends, and neighbours regularly — and not to dismiss red flags or gut feelings.

“Please, parents — make contact with friends, family members. Call. Go and make a turn,” she urged. “Hold your children’s hands. Be present.”

With the school holidays offering both free time and potential risks, Benji’s message is firm: never hesitate, never wait to act.

“Our job is never to hesitate when we get that call — and neither should you.”

Ilitha Labantu who has been advocating for the rights and dignity of women and children, for decades has also raised alarm over the increased risks children face during this period, especially in vulnerable communities where regular supervision is disrupted.

The organisation pointed to two recent cases involving a six-year-old girl from Marikana Informal Settlement and an eleven-year-old from Delft, both of whom were reported missing before being safely found. While their recovery was a relief, the incidents highlight the ongoing dangers children face, and the trauma families endure.

“The holidays can be a dangerous time for many children, especially in communities plagued by poverty, overcrowding, and violence,” said Siya Monakali, spokesperson for Ilitha Labantu. “We cannot continue to treat these cases as isolated incidents.”

Monakali explained: “South Africa sees an average of 1,697 children reported missing each year. In the past 12 months alone, over 1,100 children were murdered, nearly 1,900 survived attempted murder, and thousands more suffered serious assaults and abuse.”

Ilitha Labantu stressed that children’s safety must be a shared responsibility. Parents, communities, and authorities all have a role to play. Children should never accept transport or gifts without parental approval, and any missing child must be reported to the SAPS immediately — there is no waiting period.

To mitigate risks, Ilitha Labantu runs School Holiday Programmes offering safe spaces for children to learn, play, and build confidence, while also providing counselling and outreach support. However, the organisation warns that these efforts are undermined by persistent inequalities between wealthy suburbs and informal settlements.

“We call on families, communities, and government to come together to ensure every child is safe, supported, and accounted for,” Monakali said. “Protecting children must reflect our collective humanity.”

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus 

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