A Family’s Agony: Police Seek Public Help to Find Missing Mpumalanga Teen

The Mpumalanga community is being called upon to help find a missing 14-year-old girl whose disappearance has left her family in anguish. Promise Thembelihle Mthombothi was last seen at her home in Thekwane South, near Kanyamazane, on Friday, 16 January 2026.

According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, Promise left home following an argument with her mother and did not tell any family member where she was going. She was wearing a black dress and black sandals at the time.

A Frantic Search and a Silent Phone

Her family has searched all the places she is known to frequent and tried repeatedly to contact her, but her cellphone is unreachable. With all leads exhausted, they turned to the police, who have now launched a public appeal.

“Police in Kanyamazane are appealing to anyone who might have information that can assist in reuniting her with her family to come forward,” said Ndubane.

How You Can Help

Anyone with information is urged to contact:

• Sergeant Jabulane Mthethwa: 071 308 9740

• Kanyamazane SAPS: 013 794 6101

• MySAPSApp

Police assure that informants may remain anonymous and all information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Understanding the Legal Landscape

This distressing case highlights the critical legal rights and obligations surrounding missing minors. In a recent interview, attorney Serisha Inderjeeth clarified that a parent can open a criminal case against an adult who takes a minor child without parental consenteven if the child left willingly. The courts focus on the adult’s actions and the lack of guardian permission, barring exceptional circumstances like a court order or immediate danger to the child.

Inderjeeth also advised that if parents are aware of a relationship between their minor child and an adult, they have a legal duty to act. Steps include cutting off communication, alerting close contacts like teachers and family, and seeking a protection order. In cases involving sexual acts, the adult can be charged with rape.

For Promise’s family, the immediate need is her safe return. Every shared detail, every vigilant eye in Kanyamazane and beyond, could be the key to bringing this teenager home.

{Source: IOL}

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