A 2-year-old girl who went missing near Tonota village was found in good health after spending two nights in the bush. The toddler disappeared on Thursday night at Sepalola cattlepost, where she and her parents had been visiting her grandmother. The family had settled in for the night when the child, who had been sleeping, woke up and wandered off, likely in search of her parents.
The parents, unaware that their daughter had woken up and left, went to their yard near the grandmother’s home. It wasn’t until later that they realised she was missing. Panic set in as they began searching for her, but the darkness and vastness of the area made the search challenging.
Superintendent Abel Mathape, the Tonota police Station Commander, explained that the search efforts were extensive. “We conducted the search only to find her yesterday at Malekai cattlepost. It is a 4KM distance from where she was. She was then taken to the clinic where she was handed over to her parents,” he said.
The discovery of the child at Malekai cattlepost, 4 kilometers away from where she had gone missing, was a moment of immense relief for everyone involved. The police and community members had worked tirelessly to locate her, and their efforts paid off when she was found alive and well.
Superintendent Mathape took the opportunity to advise parents to be vigilant and always monitor their children’s movements. “Even at night, always check if your children are home,” he emphasised. He also expressed his gratitude to the community for their support and care during the search for the toddler.
