By REGINALD KANYANE
7 November 2024- The Northern Cape police appeal to the public at large to be vigilant and alert to ensure personal safety as they approach the festive season. The police said parents and guardians are prompted to know the whereabouts of their children at all times.
The Northern Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Molefi Shemane said it is important to know that there is no waiting period to report a person missing. Shemane said the people should remember that, when a person goes missing, it is of the utmost importance for the police to fulfil the mandate to serve and protect the citizens of South Africa.
“It is essential to take steps and start the investigation into a missing person’s case immediately. The public can assist the police when reporting a missing person by providing a recent photograph of the missing person, if possible.
“Give a complete description of the missing person’s last whereabouts, clothes that they were wearing, as well as any information that can assist the investigating officer. To complete and sign a SAPS 55(A) form,” he said.
Shemane further said this form safeguards the police from hoax reports and indemnifies them to distribute the photograph and information of the missing person. He added that to obtain the investigating officer’s contact details and send any additional information that might become available.
“If a missing person is found or returns voluntarily, inform the investigating officer immediately. A SAPS 92 form must be completed to inform the Bureau of Missing Person’s that the missing person’s report can be removed from the circulation system.
“Report a missing person at the nearest police station immediately. Let us be vigilant and work collectively to keep families together and safe during the festive season period and beyond,” said Shemane.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron said he is extremely concerned by growing reports of members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) turning people away when they try to open a missing person report, on the basis of a non-existent 24-hour rule.
Cameron said the committee has in recent weeks been inundated with reports that SAPS members continue to refuse to open a missing person report before 24 hours has elapsed from the start of the disappearance.
“We must reiterate that there is no 24 or 48-hours rule that precludes members of the public from opening a missing person report. A missing person report must be opened and investigated immediately.
“The refusal to open a missing person report is irresponsible and runs counter to the directive issued by the National Commissioner of the SAPS. This is serious dereliction of duty and amounts to undermining of the SAPS code of conduct,” said Cameron.
He also highlighted that the prevention of filing such reports is concerning in the context of the increased prevalence of kidnappings in South Africa. Camron has emphasised that the reporting and investigation of missing person reports might be the difference between life and death.
“It is important for station-level leadership to enhance training of members to ensure that they are able to provide adequate service to the people. The people require quality service and this must be provided.
“It is also important for members of the public to have greater awareness of their rights. So, we encourage station-level leadership to have an open-door policy to enable people to escalate matters to them in instances where officers insist on not opening a missing person report,” said Cameron.
The Guardian 