The family of 13-year-old Lindiwe Skhosana, who went missing from her home in the Free State, is appealing to the public for help in locating her. According to police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, Lindiwe’s mother reported that she left the house on December 30 at around 7:30 am to go into town, leaving her four children behind. When she returned at about 11:00 am, only three of her children were at home. They told her that Lindiwe had bathed and left without informing anyone of her destination.
Lindiwe was last seen wearing black denim pants, a blue jacket, and white Puma trainers. The police have urged anyone who may have seen Lindiwe or has information on her whereabouts to contact Heilbron Detective Constable Selloane Masa at 062 095 5711 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111. Additionally, anonymous tips can be submitted via the MySAPS App.
Lindiwe’s case is part of a worrying trend of missing children in South Africa. In 2024 alone, 632 children were reported missing. National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that over the last decade, 8,743 children had gone missing across the country. Among the most notable cases is that of six-year-old Joshlin Smith from Saldanha Bay, who has not been seen since late 2024. Her mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn, face charges of kidnapping and are set to appear in the Western Cape High Court for pre-trial procedures on January 31.
In the face of these alarming statistics, experts are emphasizing the importance of caution when it comes to sharing personal information online. Bianca van Aswegen, the national coordinator for Missing Children SA, who has overseen numerous cases nationwide, warned that social media platforms can unknowingly increase the risk of abductions by making children more vulnerable to predators.
As the search for Lindiwe continues, the focus remains on raising awareness and encouraging vigilance in the hopes of safely bringing missing children back to their families.
