Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) has raised concern over an increase in missing persons cases reported in Tongaat, Verulam and surrounding areas, with several teenagers and young adults recently reported missing.
Rusa spokesperson Prem Balram said many of the recent cases involved teenagers, placing significant pressure on search resources.
On Monday, 20 July, a 17-year-old girl, Karen Koanne Ramdhani, was reported missing from her home on Shari Drive in Everest Heights after leaving the residence. Her family later discovered that several items of clothing and cash from her father’s wallet were missing.
“Her family noticed that several items of her clothing were missing, along with cash from her father’s wallet. The exact time she left the residence could not be confirmed. The teenager has been identified as Karen Koanne Ramdhani. She does not own a cellphone,” said Balram.
Rusa also received a missing person report for 17-year-old Kiara Pillay of Candella Road, Bonela, who reportedly left home on Friday, 17 July, following a domestic dispute.
“Pillay is believed to be hiding out in the Bonela area. Since her disappearance, she has made telephonic contact with her family but has refused to disclose her location. Her cellphone is switched off after each conversation, preventing her family from establishing her whereabouts,” said Balram.
The missing persons cases are not limited to teenagers. On Saturday, 18 July, Rusa was alerted to the disappearance of 23-year-old Syabonga Gumede, who went missing in Canelands on Friday, 10 July.
Gumede had travelled from Adams Mission on the KZN South Coast to stay with a relative in Canelands while searching for employment.
“His cousin returned home after working night shift and found Gumede missing. Gumede is described as dark in complexion, of medium build, with a burn mark on one shoulder. He was last seen wearing grey tracksuit pants, a camouflage jacket, grey sandals and carrying a blue school bag containing his CVs,” said Balram.
Another ongoing case involves 27-year-old Sandile Lindokuhle Mkhize, who disappeared in Tongaat on Monday, 13 July, after allegedly falling victim to a job scam.
“According to information received, he had reportedly submitted his CV at a municipal department before receiving a call instructing him to return to make arrangements to start work. His girlfriend informed reaction officers that Mkhize later sent her a message stating that he had been the victim of a job scam and had lost a large sum of money. He added that he was leaving Tongaat and returning home to Cottonlands, but said he felt like ending his life.”
Balram said Mkhize’s cellphone has remained switched off since then and there has been no further communication.
He said missing persons cases require extensive resources, with search operations often involving numerous reaction officers and specialised equipment depending on the circumstances.
“The resources used are dependent on the situation. If the incident is related to a possible drowning, the helicopter is deployed, which is quite costly. In other missing person cases, a large amount of manpower is needed, sometimes up to 20 reaction officers.”
Balram added that officers are deployed in teams to search areas where the missing person was last seen and gather information from the public. He appealed to families to provide complete and accurate information when reporting someone missing.
“We deal with a lot of cases where resources are wasted due to the complainant withholding information about the missing person’s relationship status or substance abuse history. Without this information, reaction officers may encounter challenges in locating the missing person as they will be unaware of the need to search a bar, drug den or partner’s home.”
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of any of the missing individuals is urged to contact Reaction Unit South Africa on 086 123 4333.
