Cape Town - The whereabouts of a 12-year-old girl, Simankele Wana, is still unknown more than two weeks since her disappearance from her home in Gugulethu.
Dessie Rechner, director of the Pink Ladies Organisation for Missing Children, said the mentally challenged girl was last seen walking towards Khayelitsha, wearing a pink jersey, pink top and pink tights.
“So far there have been no reported sightings or leads regarding Simankele’s whereabouts.
“We made a plea to people in the community and various hospitals to notify us if they see anything ,” said Rechner.
Pink ladies work in partnership with the police and Rechner said the police at the Gugulethu station are working tirelessly to find the missing girl.
“We don’t stop working until a missing child is found because parents need closure. It breaks our hearts when we search for a child who has been missing for a long period of time,” she said.
Social Development MEC Albert Fritz said children and adults with disabilities do go missing from time to time and it is a big concern for his department.
“Parents of children with disabilities need to take extra care of them.
“Government can only take so much responsibility, the rest is up to the parents. Creating a space of safety for children should be a joint effort,” he said.
Fritz said preventing such situations is the most effective approach to dealing with the problem.
“Social workers, NGOs and the community need to form a partnership. We cannot do it alone,” he said.
Anyone with information can call Colonel Brink at 082 334 7517 or 021 684 2342. Information can also be given to Crime Stop at 086001011 or by sms to Crimeline at 32211.
Cape Times