Body of missing 12-year-old girl found in Phillipi, 48-year-old man arrested
Western Cape police have announced that the body of a missing 12-year-old girl from Grassy Park, has been found in Phillipi.
“Western Cape police investigation into the disappearance of a girl (12) who was reported missing in Grassy Park led to the arrest of a suspect (48) and discovery of the body in Phillipi in the early hours of this morning,” SAPS tweeted on Thursday 7 January 2020.
An interview with the suspect led to him pointing out where the body was located. The suspect has subsequently been charged with murder and a post mortem will soon be conducted to determine how she died and whether any more charges could be added.
The 48-year-old suspect is expected to appear in the Wynberg Magistrate’s Court on Friday 10 January 2020.
12-year-old girl goes missing
Police appealed to members of the public to assist in tracing the whereabouts of 12-year-old Michaela Williams who went missing on Tuesday 7 January 2020.
Willams was last seen at her Crane Street residence in New Horizon, Grassy Park, and was reported missing in the early hours of Wednesday 8 January 2020.
Spokesperson Colonel Andre Traut said in a statement: “Michaela was last seen in the company of an adult male who also resides in Crane Street, and who is currently not at home.”
Williams was wearing a black miniskirt, an orange top and brown sandals at the time of her disappearance.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner, Lt General YolisaMatakata has expressed shock that yet another child has died in such a horrific manner.
She thanked those involved in the search and reiterated that the perpetrator deserves a very harsh sentence.
“While this will not bring back the life lost. The lengthy incarceration of the perpetrator will ensure the communities of Cape Town are much safer”, says Lt General Matakata.
Men for change
Police Minister, General Bheki Cele and the South African Police Service (SAPS) launched a #SAPS Men Mobilisation awareness campaign on 14 October 2019, in Pretoria. At the event, steps to reporting a missing person were shared.
The campaign was hosted through the SAPS’ ‘Men for Change’ structure. The structure is within the SAPS and was formed in 2004 to address matters of gender-based violence (GBV).
The campaign’s focus was to fight against GBV and it attracted 1 500 male police officers.
Five steps to report a missing person
At the event, the public was also reminded that there is no waiting period to report a missing person.
- Produce a recent photograph of the missing person, if possible;
- Give a complete description of the missing person’s last whereabouts, clothes that they were wearing, and any information that can assist the investigating officer;
- Complete and sign a SAPS 55(A) form. The form safeguards the SAPS from fake reports and indemnifies them to distribute the photograph and information of the person;
- Get the investigating officers’ contact details, and send through any additional information that might become available;
- If a missing person is found or returns voluntarily, inform the investigating officer immediately. A SAPS 92 form must be completed to inform the Bureau of Missing Persons that the person’s report can be removed from the circulation system.
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