Central SA
Rising cases of missing persons in Matjhabeng, Free State raise alarms─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 08:59 Thu, 18 Jul 2024
“Thakeng emphasised the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in their efforts to locate these missing people.”
The increasing number of missing persons in the Matjhabeng Local Municipality and the broader Free State region has caused significant concern among local communities.
On average, at least three individuals are reported missing each week in the province. The most recent case involves 15-year-old Cavin Edwin Kulue, who disappeared from the Riebeeckstad Care Centre in Welkom on Wednesday (17/7) at around 14:30.
Cavin Edwin Kulue. Photo supplied
The Free State police spokesperson Stephen Thakeng reported that Kulue fled the care centre on foot when a child and youth care worker from Bloemfontein arrived to fetch him. Kulue is described as having short blond hair. The police have launched a search operation to locate him. Anyone with information regarding Kulue’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Welkom Police Station at 079 886 5574 or visit the nearest station.
‘Thamae left her home dressed in her school uniform’
Police are also searching for 18-year-old Moleboheng Thamae, who was reported missing by her mother at the Odendaalsrus police station. Thakeng explained that Thamae left her home dressed in her school uniform to attend Seqhobong High School on Monday (15/7) at around 07:20. When she did not return home, her mother tried repeatedly to contact her without success.
Moleboheng Thamae. Photo supplied
Friends were visited, but Thamae was not found. Preliminary investigations revealed that she did not attend school that day. Thakeng added that Thamae was last seen wearing brown trousers, a yellow shirt, and a brown and yellow school jersey.
In another distressing case, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the Free State has called on the community to help locate one of its members, Disebo Mosupa (30). She was reported missing by her father on Sunday (14/7) after he visited her home and found the doors open and the house ransacked, with no trace of her. Mosupa is employed at Matjhabeng Local Municipality as an Acting Youth Development Officer.
Thakeng emphasised the importance of community vigilance and cooperation in their efforts to locate these missing people.
