SAPS Celebrated for Reuniting Thousands of Missing Persons With Loved Ones

Nearly 18,000 missing individuals have been successfully located by the South African Police Service (SAPS) over the past five years, showcasing the force’s dedication to rescuing and reuniting loved ones across the country.

According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the cases span from 2020 to 2025, during which 17,968 missing people — including adults and children — were found and reunited with their families after being reported at local police stations.

#sapsHQ The SAPS has from 2020 reunited 17 968 #missing persons with their loved ones.

These were adults and children that were reported as missing at police stations across the country.

Of the figure, the number of adults found through intelligence and meticulous detective… pic.twitter.com/8lhiSOkNWD

— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) May 5, 2025

SAPS locates over 15,000 adults, nearly 3,000 children

Of the total cases, 15,005 were adults tracked through what Mathe described as “intelligence and meticulous detective work.” SAPS also brought home 2,963 children under the age of 18, which included 1,919 girls and 967 boys.

In addition to locating the missing, police diving units recovered 3,099 bodies of people who drowned in rivers, dams, and other water bodies. During the same period, the diving teams rescued 2,577 individuals from potentially fatal situations.

Mathe urged the public to report missing persons immediately. “There is no waiting period to report a loved one missing,” she said, encouraging families to visit the nearest police station with a recent photo and any helpful details, including last known location and clothing.

Multidisciplinary teams ensure swift action

SAPS handles missing persons cases through a range of specialised units, including detectives, crime and counter-intelligence officers, cybercrime teams, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS), K9 search and rescue, and police divers.

The public is urged to remain vigilant and work with authorities to ensure more lives are saved and families are reunited without delay.

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Sourced:Afican Insider

Picture: Canva stock