By Delisa Thwala
ANYONE, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or educational background, may become a missing person.
This has been the case in this country, where at least nine people or maybe more have gone missing in three weeks. Four have been located, found and placed back at their respective homes.
The information and list of missing persons was shared and distributed by the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) on their social media platform, Facebook, accessed by over 300,000 people across the country.
Clinical psychologist Innocentia Ndwandwe said the reasons for going missing are many and varied and can include mental illness, miscommunication, misadventure, domestic violence, and being a victim of crime.
“While there are inherent risks attached to any missing event, specific population groups are recognized as particularly vulnerable to harm while missing.
Adults are more likely to be listed as long-term missing persons, however, our youth are most likely to be reported missing,” said Ndwandwe.
In addition, she said, children and young people, those suffering from a mental illness, or depression, the elderly and those living with dementia,
Persons expressing suicidal thoughts, and those living with an intellectual or physical disability or without lifesaving medication were more likely to go missing.
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“Being unhappy at home or in care, including conflict, abuse, and neglect in the home. Risks around exploitation, including sexual exploitation and criminal exploitationMental health concerns For adults,” she added.
The first person on the missing person list is Mangaliso Nkambule aged 43, from Siteki. He went missing from home on April 16, 2024, at about 1:45 pm.
He was last seen wearing a white pair of trousers, a white shirt, and a black Jacket.
Follows Buyisiwe Alice Maziya, a 49-year-old woman from Maphungwane. Buyisiwe went missing from home on April 19, 2024. It was about 6 am when she left home to sell things in Piet Retif in the Republic Of South Africa.
She was last seen wearing a blue shweshwe dress, a green T-shirt, a pair of black sneakers, and a white hat. She was carrying a red handbag.
The REPS also need help in locating Sibusiso Dlamini 45 who went missing from home in Ncabaneni in February 2024.
This is a similar case to Zodvwa Sibisi from Malkerns who was last seen on April 15, 2024. She is aged 42.
One of the youngest missing persons, Nokwanda Nhleko aged 16 went missing from home in March at her parental home in the Mpaka area.
She left home on 31/03/2024 at around 8 pm to an unknown destination. She was last seen wearing a black trouser and a white shirt.
Another young missing person is 14-year-old Colisile Masiye from Ka Ncesi. Colisile was last seen on April 7, 2024, around 4:30 pm, in the Makholokholo area.
She is dark in complexion, slim built, medium height with short hair and a tiny mark on her left cheek. She was last seen wearing a maroon long-sleeved t-shirt, a grey jacket, another maroon jacket with grey sleeves and a grey hood, a navy blue pair of jeans, and black sandals.
One of the most disheartening cases is that of Phiwokuhle Sinenhlanhla Shabangu and her year-old son Sibonelo Bhembe. The teen mother is aged 17 and is from Logoba.
She went missing with her son from home in the Logoba area on April 29, 2024 and has never been seen since.
Meanwhile, Psychologist Ndwandwe mentioned that most missing people are found or returned in the first few days.
“If someone is missing for longer than a few days, some things about the police investigation might change,” she said.
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When elaborating further she said a missing person is a person who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed as their location and condition are unknown.
Ndwandwe said a person may go missing through a voluntary disappearance, or else due to an accident, crime, death in a location where they cannot be found, or many other reasons.
“In most parts of the world, a missing person will usually be found quickly. While criminal abductions are some of the most widely reported missing person cases, these account for only 2–5% of missing children in Eswatini. “
Anyone who may have information about the listed missing persons can contact Manzini Senior Superintendent Thabo Hlophe at 7606 8570 or Matsapha Police Desk Officer Inspector Mcebo Langa at 7668 6833 or the investigating officer Constable Muzi Dlamini at 7603 6327 or 999/9999.
