Masoyi, Mpumalanga – 21 July 2025

Police in Masoyi, Mpumalanga, are urgently appealing for public assistance in the search for a missing three-year-old child, Nkosingiphile Ndwane Ntiwane, who disappeared from his home in Mshadza Trust on Saturday, 20 July 2025.

According to police spokesperson Captain David Hlatshwayo, the child was last seen at around 13:00 playing in the yard of his home. When his father went to check on him, Nkosingiphile was nowhere to be found. Immediate efforts by neighbours and community members to locate him were unsuccessful.

Authorities were subsequently called in, and a search operation was launched. However, by late evening, there was still no sign of the missing child.

At the time of his disappearance, Nkosingiphile was wearing a military-coloured jumpsuit and a peach-coloured jersey. He is reported to be both deaf and mute, which significantly increases his vulnerability.

“Time is of the essence in cases involving young children, especially those with disabilities. We are appealing to anyone who may have seen Nkosingiphile or has any information regarding his whereabouts to contact the police without delay,” said Captain Hlatshwayo.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Captain Hlatshwayo directly on 076 451 5495 or report to their nearest police station.

Read | Protecting Our Children: A South African Guide to Child Safety in 2025

Rising Cases of Missing Children in South Africa

South Africa continues to grapple with a worrying number of missing children cases each year. According to statistics from Missing Children South Africa (MCSA), a child goes missing in the country every five hours. While a significant number of these children are found within 24 to 48 hours, many cases remain unresolved, particularly those involving children with disabilities.

Mpumalanga has seen several missing persons alerts in recent years, and communities are being urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect young children.

• 11-Year-Old Jaquin Assam Vanishes After Visit Request Denied
• Bigboy Cursley “Tsau” Lamola Missing Since 9 July 2025 in Orange Grove, Johannesburg
• Mapitso Ibezim Missing in Phahameng Bloemfontein Since 10 July 2025 – Family Appeals for Help

Child Safety: What Parents and Guardians Should Know

The tragic disappearance of Nkosingiphile has reignited the conversation about child safety, especially in communities where children often play unsupervised outside their homes. Below are some critical safety measures that can help prevent such incidents:

• 1. Constant Supervision:
  Always supervise children when they play outdoors, even within your property. Young children can wander off quickly and silently.
• 2. Secure Fencing and Gates:
  Ensure that yards and play areas are properly enclosed with secure gates to prevent children from leaving unnoticed.
• 3. Know What Your Child is Wearing:
  Make a habit of noting down or taking a photo of your child’s clothing each day. This helps provide accurate descriptions in emergencies.
• 4. Educate Your Child:
  While not always possible with children who have certain disabilities, try to teach your child to stay close and alert others if they feel unsafe. Visual or hand signal communication can be a useful tool for deaf or mute children.
• 5. Alert Authorities Immediately:
  Do not wait to report a missing child. The first few hours are critical. Contact local police and community policing forums as soon as you realize your child is missing.

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Community Role and Vigilance

Community involvement plays a vital role in locating missing persons. Residents of Masoyi and the surrounding areas are urged to inspect their properties, including storage structures, open fields, and any areas where a small child might hide or seek shelter.

Nkosingiphile’s disability means he cannot call out for help or respond if someone calls him. This makes community vigilance even more important in this case.

If anyone has any information or believes they may have seen a child matching Nkosingiphile’s description, they are encouraged to come forward immediately.

Contact Details for Information

Contact Person: Captain David Hlatshwayo
Phone: 076 451 5495
Local Police Station: Masoyi SAPS

If you are in the Masoyi or Mshadza Trust area, please check your surroundings and assist the family and police in any way possible. The public’s help is crucial in bringing Nkosingiphile home safely.

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