It has been 267 days since the disappearance of 28-year-old Keshira Maharaj from Phoenix, Durban, and her family’s search for answers continues with no clear leads. Despite their relentless efforts, including putting up posters just a few weeks ago, the mystery surrounding her disappearance remains unsolved.

Keshira, a mother of two, was last seen leaving her home in an e-hailing vehicle. Her ride, however, had reportedly been booked outside of the official app, a factor that has complicated the investigation and left the family with more questions than answers.

Her sudden disappearance has left behind a trail of heartache. Her two young children, aged 8 and 2-and-a-half, are struggling without their mother. Her 63-year-old father, who was already in poor health, has grown weaker under the weight of worry. For the Maharaj family, each day without Keshira brings more uncertainty, but also a renewed determination to keep her case alive in the public eye.

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The family shared earlier this year that at one point, when they attempted to call one of Keshira’s unreachable numbers, the line was answered by an unfamiliar man. When questioned, he immediately hung up. The phone has remained off ever since.

This incident was reported to authorities, but the family says no further feedback was ever provided. In addition, police questioned several e-hailing drivers in the area, but many responded with reluctance, saying, “We don’t know anything and don’t want to get involved.”

For the Maharaj family, these silences are perhaps the hardest part. “We just need answers,” one family member explained. “We need to know what happened that day and why she has not come back home.”

As the days continue to add up, the pain of her absence grows heavier. Her children are too young to understand why their mother has not returned, and her father’s health struggles make the situation even more urgent.

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The family, however, continues to call for community support. Flyers and posters have been put up across Phoenix and the surrounding areas, but they say more help is needed. Community awareness, they believe, is one of the most powerful tools in keeping Keshira’s story alive.

This case also highlights broader questions about the safety of e-hailing rides, the responsibility of service providers, and the importance of cooperation between law enforcement and the community in missing person cases.

Lessons from Missing Person Cases

While the Maharaj family’s pain is deeply personal, their struggle speaks to a wider issue in South Africa: the thousands of people who go missing every year. Experts often stress that the first 48 hours after a disappearance are critical for gathering evidence and tracking leads. But even when time passes, persistence and visibility can make a difference.

Families are encouraged to:

• Report missing loved ones immediately—there is no waiting period required.
• Keep the public engaged through posters, social media, and local media.
• Maintain pressure on authorities for updates and accountability.
• Create support networks to share information and resources.

For the public, the call is simple but powerful: pay attention. Sharing a flyer, a social media post, or speaking up when something suspicious is noticed can mean the difference between silence and answers for families in pain.

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A Call for Answers in Phoenix

As the Maharaj family marks 267 days without Keshira, they are asking South Africans to stand with them and not let her case fade away.

The questions remain:

• Who booked the e-hailing car?
• Who answered her phone?
• And most importantly, where is Keshira now?

Until those questions are answered, her family vows to continue searching and asking for the community’s support.

Anyone with information about Keshira Maharaj’s disappearance is urged to contact the family directly on 071 279 2558 or 071 844 9222.