By STAFF REPORTER

A Tong family in Modimong village near Taung was happy to be reunited with their daughter, Olerato (11) after she went missing for almost two week. Olerato left home on Christmas Day after being lured by her alleged Zimbabwean boyfriend (42) on Facebook.

According to Olerato’s father, Patrick Tong (55), his daughter met the suspect on Facebook and they allegedly engaged in a romantic relationship.

“We have not seen Olerato since Christmas Day and her phone was off. We thought maybe she slept at her cousins’ place, but we were gobsmacked when no one knew her whereabouts.

“Her cousins said she said she was going to town and meet with someone. On 26 December 2021, we went to Taung Police Station and opened a missing person case. Unfortunately, the police requested us to go back and get the missing person’s photo,” Tong said.

He said they went back to the police station the following day, but he was crestfallen when he arrived home and saw that the police did not open a case, but made him write an affidavit instead.

“I went back again to the same police station and I was not happy with the service I received. Atleast police started to act after I called the North West Police Deputy Provincial Commissioner, Major General Patrick Asaneng for assistance.

“At that moment, I was confused and I want to laud the community of Modimong for their swift response as they embarked on a searching spree tirelessly. Fortunately, on 3 January 2022, atleast Olerato’s phone was on and I managed to communicate with her. But, our conversation was short-lived as her phone went off again,” said Tong.

He said on 4 January 2022, his neighbour’ child fortunately saw Olerato in Johannesburg Taxi Rank next to Park Station in a company of two males. Tong said that woman asked Olerato what she is doing in Gauteng and she allegedly said the men that she was in company with were her uncles.

“Those men gave her the contact numbers and we managed to speak to them. The police traced that cellphone and Olerato was found at a certain house in Olifantsfontein in Gauteng staying with her alleged boyfriend.

“I was happy to see her alive on the 9^th of January 2022. I want to warn other parents to make sure that they monitor their children’s cell phones because it seems there is a syndicate operating in Taung targeting young girls,” he said.

The North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said the suspect was arrested and the case was transferred from Olifantsfontein Police Station to Ivory Park.

“The victim was found staying with her alleged boyfriend whom she met and started dating via Facebook. She was taken for medical treatment and reunited with her family. The suspect was arrested and charged with statutory rape,” she said.

Meanwhile, a social media specialist, Sthembiso Sithole even tough social media continues to be ubiquitous part of everyday life, there are challenges that come with it as some people continue to be scammed, raped, kidnapped while other are being turned into prostitution or killed.

“One can use social media either for job opportunities or to connect. However, we have seen over the past years how some people have taken advantage of the platform and prey on others.

“So, it is imperative for the social media users to be cautious and verify the accounts of the individuals they engaged with. There has been a surge of people being kidnapped and killed after being lured through social media platforms,” he said.

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