SAPS Etwatwa in Gauteng is searching for 18-year-old Zanela Gumede, who was reported missing in Daveyton. She was last seen on 03 February 2026 while waiting for an Uber to meet someone she had connected with on Facebook. Police are urging the public to share information as the missing person investigation continues.
Zanela Gumede Missing: Last Seen in Daveyton, Gauteng on 03 February 2026
The South African Police Service (SAPS) confirmed that Zanela Gumede, 18, was last seen in Daveyton on Tuesday, 03 February 2026. According to her mother, the teenager was waiting for an Uber when she disappeared.
Family members reported that Zanela planned to visit a boyfriend she had reportedly met on Facebook. She has not returned home, and relatives have not been able to reach her since that day.
At the time of her disappearance, Zanela was wearing a black dress, black sandals, and a black cap. Her sudden absence has led to growing concern in Daveyton and the surrounding Gauteng communities.
SAPS Etwatwa Missing Person Case: Police Statement and Contact Details
SAPS Etwatwa has opened a missing person case and assigned investigators to trace Zanela Gumede’s whereabouts. Police have urged anyone with information about the missing 18-year-old in Daveyton to come forward.
In a public appeal, authorities requested that anyone who may have seen Zanela on 03 February 2026, or who may have information about her movements after she left home, contact the investigating officer, Sergeant LJ Mashaba, at 011 746 8900. Members of the public can also call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Police have not released further details about the investigation but confirmed that inquiries are ongoing. Officers are working to establish her last known movements and verify transport details linked to the Uber she was reportedly waiting for.
Missing Teen After Meeting Facebook Contact: Online Safety Concerns Raised
The case of Zanela Gumede, missing after planning to meet someone she connected with on Facebook, has sparked discussion about online safety in South Africa. While police have not indicated foul play, the circumstances have drawn attention to the risks that can arise when young people meet social media contacts in person.
Community leaders in Daveyton say the case highlights the importance of safety planning, including informing family members about meeting locations and verifying identities before arranging face-to-face meetings.
Online safety experts often advise young adults to meet new contacts in public spaces, share live location details with trusted relatives, and avoid travelling alone when meeting someone for the first time.
Daveyton Community Shares Missing Person Alert Across Gauteng
Since Zanela Gumede was reported missing, community members in Daveyton and across Gauteng have circulated her details on social media platforms. Posts describing the missing 18-year-old from Daveyton have been widely shared in an effort to generate leads.
Family members have described the experience as distressing. A relative said the family remains hopeful. “We are asking anyone who knows something to speak up. We just want her home safely.”
The growing public response reflects ongoing concern about missing person cases in Gauteng, where community awareness often plays a key role in helping police trace individuals.
Investigation Continues as Search for Missing 18-Year-Old in Gauteng Expands
SAPS Etwatwa has confirmed that the search for Zanela Gumede remains active. Officers continue to follow up on information related to her last known location in Daveyton.
Police have emphasized that even small details may assist in the search for missing persons. Anyone who may have seen Zanela on 03 February 2026, or who may have information about her whereabouts in Daveyton or other parts of Gauteng, is urged to contact authorities immediately.
As the investigation continues, Zanela’s family has asked the public to keep sharing verified information and to keep them in prayer during this difficult time.
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