Updated 21 December 2025, 1630hrs | ✅ FOUND SAFE: Shafiek De Lange, 10, in Bishop Lavis
We are relieved to share that Shafiek, who went missing on 20 December, has been found safe.
A huge thanks to SAPS, family, friends, the community, and all role players who helped in the search. Your vigilance and support made a difference!
A search is underway in Bishop Lavis after 10-year-old Shafiek De Lange went missing on Saturday morning.
The child, who is autistic and considered vulnerable, was last seen in Valhalla Park.
Police and family members are appealing to the public for urgent assistance.
When and Where Shafiek De Lange Was Last Seen in Valhalla Park
Shafiek De Lange, aged 10, was last seen on the morning of 20 December 2025 at about 08h00. He was playing outside his grandmother’s home in Valhalla Park, a residential area within Bishop Lavis on the Cape Flats.
According to information provided to police, Shafiek’s grandmother briefly went inside the house to use the bathroom. When she returned moments later, the child was gone. A search of the immediate area followed, but there has been no confirmed sighting since.
Shafiek is autistic and regarded as vulnerable. Police say this significantly increases concern for his safety and well-being.
Police Open Missing Child Case in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town
The South African Police Service has opened a missing person case and confirmed that Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit officers are handling the investigation.
Shafiek De Lange is described as slender, with brown eyes and short black hair. He has a snub nose, thin lips, and notably prominent ears. His height and weight are unknown. At the time he went missing, he was wearing a black T-shirt, black or blue tekkies, and black jeans.
A police official involved in the search said officers are following all leads and conducting door-to-door enquiries in the surrounding areas.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have seen this child or has information about his whereabouts to come forward immediately,” the officer said.
Family Pleads for Help to Find Missing Autistic Boy
Family members say Shafiek is gentle and may struggle to communicate clearly with strangers. They fear he could be disoriented or frightened.
“He does not always respond the way other children do,” a relative explained. “If someone sees him, we ask that they stay with him and call the police right away.”
The family has described the hours since his disappearance as agonising, with hope that community awareness will help bring him home safely.
Bishop Lavis Community Joins Search for Missing 10-Year-Old
News of Shafiek’s disappearance has spread quickly across Bishop Lavis and nearby communities. Residents have been urged to check their yards, garages, and any areas where a child might seek shelter.
Local community groups and missing persons pages have begun sharing Shafiek’s details, urging residents to remain alert, especially around busy roads and public spaces.
Child safety advocates have again highlighted the heightened risks faced by children with autism when they go missing, noting that swift public response often plays a critical role in successful recoveries.
Latest Update on the Search for Shafiek De Lange
Police say search efforts are ongoing and will continue until Shafiek De Lange is found. Anyone with information is urged not to delay.
Members of the public can contact Detective Constable A Solwandle of Bishop Lavis FCS on 082 522 1090 or call 08600 10111. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could be vital.
As the search continues, authorities and family members are asking the public to share verified information responsibly and keep Shafiek’s safety at the centre of all efforts.
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