Missing nine-year-old Akahlulwa from Delft reunited with family after three weeks after

After a month of desperate searching, the Qwili family from Delft is overjoyed as their nine-year-old daughter Akahlulwa was discovered safe in Crossroads.

The family's ordeal finally came to an end on Wednesday afternoon when the young girl was located.

Akalulwa vanished from her home in Delft South on November 17 while playing outside her home with friends.

After an intensive search with the assistance of police and the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit, her father George Thompson received good news that his little girl has been well taken care of while living with a woman who found her wandering the streets.

The father explained: “Akahlulwa has been found safe and sound, we are so happy as a family and the community. She has been in Crossroads for three weeks. 

“She was on her way to family in Khayelitsha and this family found her wandering the streets late at night, around 10pm.”

According to George, the family took good care of his daughter. 

When the Cape Argus' sister publication, the Daily Voice asked him how the family could have accommodated Akahlulwa for so long without notifying him, he said that perhaps the woman who cared for her, loved having her around. 

He said: “I think the lady who had her was happy to have a little girl in the house because she was well taken care of and they spoiled her.

“The lady said she did not have the means [to contact him]. Fortunately, there was someone from our area who is their relative and they somehow found out that Akahlulwa was missing through the missing persons flyer and pinpointed her to us. 

“We went with the police to get her in Crossroads. We took her to Karl Bremer Hospital for a check-up and she was safe.

“Akahlulwa will be getting help because she needs a lot of counselling as she has been through hell and back at a young age, which has caused her to misbehave. 

“We, thank God that she is safe because it is an evil world out there.”

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that Akahlulwa “has been found in Crossroads and she is safe and reunited with her family”.

Founder of the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit Candice van der Rheede said she is elated that Akahlulwa has been found and will be getting the help she needs. 

She added: “I am a grandmother and a mother before I am anything else. Many years ago, I adopted the ‘your child is my child’ approach and that is the way I feel about any child. 

“I am very happy, at least I can enjoy my Christmas knowing she is okay. My Christmas gift came early because that was my wish that every missing person be returned to their family.” 

Van der Rheede is appealing to the public to keep an updated clear picture of their loved ones on their phone and update it at least every six months.

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Cape Argus