Desperate search for Anovuyo Oncke: Eight-year-old girl goes missing in Lotus River

Police are actively searching for Anovuyo Oncke, an eight-year-old girl from Phumlani Village in Lotus River, who has been reported missing since Saturday. 

The devastated family, residing in the Riemvasmaak informal settlement, last saw Anovuyo on the morning of September 6, when she left home around 7 am.

Her mother, Samanha Oncke, 25, described her daughter as a Grade 1 learner at Perivale Primary School, last seen wearing black pants and a pink pajama top.

“We last saw her Saturday morning. She was here in the area playing. Usually, if I am not at home, she would go to my sister and sleep over, but return early the next day. She did not return on Sunday morning, and when I went to look where she was, she never made it to my sister. I then immediately went to the police station to declare her missing,” Oncke said. 

The mother of two said community members and police immediately jumped in and started looking for the young girl. 

“As a mother, I am heartbroken because I do not know where she is. If she has eaten, where she slept, and what she is doing. It is so much. If she were in the area, she would have been found already, as she would have come out. Everyone knows her,” Oncke said, crying. 

“I just want her to come home now,” she said.  

Community worker, Beryl Williams, who has been part of the search parties, is supporting the family during the horrific ordeal. 

“We started searching for the missing child, but the search was called off as it was getting dark on Sunday. Myself, the community, and five detectives also took to the informal settlements where we lifted beds, searched cupboards, and all over for the girl. The mother said she is well known in the community,” Williams said. 

Police were back on the scene searching on Monday morning. 

“Police said they would be sending out the K9 Units today and they did. They cleared the field. Next we will be heading to neighbouring areas starting in Zeekoe Vlei to search for her,” Williams said. 

The provincial police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, confirmed a missing persons case has been opened. 

“The Wynberg Family Violence Child Protection Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is seeking the assistance of the public to trace missing eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke, who went missing on Saturday, September 6, 2025. According to reports, the victim left her residence and never returned,” Twigg said. 

 Police urge anyone with any information who can assist with the investigation or who knows the whereabouts of the missing child to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

Members of the public can also call Beryl Williams at 082 732 6926 with any information. 

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Cape Argus