Several searches under way for missing children in the Western Cape
Authorities are searching for at least four missing children in Western Cape, including six-year-old Joshlin Smith and three-year-old Enzokuhle Mtshobeni.
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CAPE TOWN - Searches are currently under way for several missing children in the Western Cape.
In Saldanha Bay, the search for six-year-old Joshlin Smith enters its 15th day on Tuesday.
She disappeared from her family home in Middelpos after being left in the care of her mother's boyfriend.
Grade 12 learner at Fezeka High School in Gugulethu Ongeziwe Kamlana was last seen by her mother on 17 February when she left home to attend extra classes.
Police are also trying to trace 13-year-old Lizalise Mayi, who was last seen at her Lower Crossroads home on 24 February.
In the latest incident, on Sunday, three-year-old Enzokuhle Mtshobeni disappeared while playing outside his family home in Kayamandi.
“This is what the reality in South Africa is regarding children that go missing. It’s not just even in the same area, it is right across the country at the moment,” said Missing Children South Africa’s Bianca van Aswegen.
Van Aswegen said there were several reasons why children were going missing.
“If we look at a few of the cases, some children run away from home. This is not just due to being funny or being naughty, but we have seen such an increase [in abuse against children] since lockdown.
“So, many children run away because they are being abused. We’ve seen an increasing number of kidnappings happening in our country, human trafficking is rife in our country.”