Such cases form the centre of the government’s focus on the 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children campaign that was launched last week. 

The victims, Trudy Twala, Karabo Dlamini and Reamohetswe Mohale, are all scholars at the Mafube Intermediate School and was last seen on 20 November 2020 at a house in Mantsubise Street, Phuthaditjhaba, says police spokesperson, Motantsi Makhele. The victims were wearing their school uniforms and never returned home.

A few days ago they were seen posting images on Facebook. Their school uniforms were found in a dustbin at one of the victim’s houses at Mantsubise Street, which makes it clear that the victims left their school uniforms behind deliberately, says Makhele. 

Anyone with information on their whereabouts should contact the police at 082-414-9736 or 083-750-5366. Gender-based violence in South Africa is declared a national concern. 

The government is implementing an Emergency Response Action Plan towards Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in September 2019.

OFM News/Blaine Jones