GEORGE NEWS - A worrying tendency has reared its head in Thembalethu and greater George. Young women go "missing", causing their loved ones to turn to social media and the police, only to be found safe and sound visiting friends.
In April, a 17-year-old girl from Thembalethu was reported missing and her picture was circulated on social media. Her family and friends were looking for her desperately. It turned out she was never missing, nor was she in danger, but had just been staying with a friend in Lawaaikamp.
Early this month a 28-year-old woman from George was reported to be missing on social media and a monetary reward was offered for anyone who has seen her, however, it turned out she was also not really missing.
In the most recent incident an 18-year-old girl was reported missing on Monday on social media.
It was said the girl went missing on Saturday 6 July while she was at a merry-go-round with family. The news was received with mixed emotions on the Nyan Nyan WaseTHEMBALETHU 2 (George) Facebook group. Later on Monday she was back home safe and sound.
This angered people on social media. SABC journalist Sphiwe Hobasi, wrote on his social media page that next time he will be reluctant to take cases of missing girls in Them-balethu. "A few months ago a girl that was reported 'missing', leaving behind a 2-month old baby, returned days later from a boyfriend's place. Shortly after that a school girl was reported 'missing', only to return a few days later from a boyfriend's place. After that three school girls went 'missing' for a weekend; they were found partying in Mossel Bay and didn't have money to come back home. This past weekend a school girl went 'missing', and you can guess her whereabouts," wrote Hobasi. "It is very sad to see young girls throwing away their future for boyfriends, while wasting police resources during their 'missing' period."
Previously Thembalethu police communications officer, Captain Dumile Gwavu, stressed that people must inform their parents or next of kin if they will be sleeping over at someone's place. "We ask people to please always report their whereabouts to those closest to them to avoid causing panic. Please tell your family if you won't be returning home and tell them where you will be spending the night," said Gwavu.
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