By: Sthulile Mdletshe
The Portfolio Committee on Police has once again raised alarm over reports that some police stations continue to ignore the National Commissioner’s directive to act immediately when a missing person case is reported, especially involving children.
The committee reiterated that there is no 24- or 48-hour waiting period before a missing person case can be opened. Police officers are legally and procedurally obligated to begin investigations without delay the moment a case is reported.
This follows a follow-up meeting held between the committee, the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the Women Empowerment Platform on violence against children.
Each year, approximately 1,600 children are reported missing in South Africa, according to figures from Missing Children South Africa. While many are eventually found, a significant number either remain missing or are found deceased often due to delayed responses and lack of immediate intervention.
Women Empowerment Platform CEO Natalie Solomon said the lives of many children could have been saved if SAPS officers had consistently followed the existing protocols.
“If police responded promptly as instructed, many of these children might have been found alive. Time is critical in missing person cases, and any delay drastically reduces the chances of a safe recovery,” said Solomon.
The committee expressed frustration at the lack of uniform compliance across police stations and called for urgent disciplinary measures against officers who fail to follow protocol.
Committee Chairperson Tina Joemat-Pettersson said it was unacceptable that the directive from the highest office in the SAPS was being ignored at station level. “We expect decisive action from SAPS leadership to ensure full compliance and accountability. The safety of our children depends on it,” she said.
