- Community-led Search for Missing Child: A determined community search organized by the Lurholweni Women’s Forum successfully located 12-year-old Okuhle Madikizela after she went missing, highlighting the power of community action in child safety.
- Public Awareness and Social Media’s Role: The widespread circulation of the missing child’s information on social media mobilized national attention and drew support from organizations advocating for children’s rights.
- Circumstances Surrounding the Disappearance: Okuhle’s disappearance followed a domestic dispute, with her being last seen sleeping in the garage after an argument, and she was later identified to have been in Port Edward, where she was found with assistance from local taxi drivers.
The enigmatic whereabouts of 12-year-old Okuhle Madikizela, who went missing on 6 September, were finally uncovered after a determined community search organised by the Lurholweni Women’s Forum. The sad news of the missing child, widely circulated on social media, drew attention from across the country, including organisations that advocate for children’s rights.
Mrs Ntando Mlamleli, Publicity Official of the Lurholweni Women’s Forum, expressed joy at the successful outcome of the search. She said, “We know the labour pains and how hard it is to carry a baby in a womb for nine full months, and we stood in solidarity with every woman who loses a child mysteriously in this cruel world.”
According to reports, on the Friday before Okuhle disappeared, her mother Nobesuthu Madikizela allegedly intended to discipline her, and the child slept in the garage that night. The following day, tensions reportedly continued—despite Okuhle completing her house chores—and by 6pm her mother realised she was missing. Around 7pm, a taxi driver affectionately known as “Poto” is said to have spotted Okuhle in Port Edward and handed her over to another taxi driver, Mr Yandisa Cwele, who dropped her near her home.
Working with police escorts, the Lurholweni Women’s Forum met with the mother, who acknowledged having anger issues that may have contributed to the situation. After an initial interrogation and a door-to-door search across the Msizazwe neighbourhood yielded no results, attention turned to a nearby deserted house. The property’s key was reportedly in Nobesuthu’s custody, though it could not immediately be found. On the advice of a community member, Mr Ronaldo, the team searched the deserted house. There, Okuhle was found dehydrated and in a bad state, having locked herself inside out of fear.
Mrs Mlamleli thanked Mzamba SAPS for their solidarity and Social Development officials who ensured the child received immediate care at Bizana Hospital. Social Development has referred the matter to the Thuthuzela Care Centre, which will facilitate placement at an appropriate place of safety.
