Western Cape families gripped by fear as child goes missing, another reunited
. Eight\-year-old Oyama Titshala
Image: supplied saps
Two families in the Western Cape have started the new year under very different circumstances after their children vanished without a trace just days before 2026 began.
Eight-year-old Oyama Titshala remains missing after he disappeared from his home in Khayelitsha more than three weeks ago. Oyama was last seen on December 14, 2025, when he left his home in Ceba Street, Makhaza. His mother reported him missing on January 2, 2026, after all efforts to locate him failed.
At the time of his disappearance, Oyama was wearing green shorts, an orange jacket and pink running shoes.
Police have since intensified their search and are appealing to the public for assistance.
“The Khayelitsha Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit seeks the assistance of the public to help find eight-year-old Oyama Titshala, who went missing on December 14, 2025, when he left his home in Ceba Street, Makhaza, and has not been seen since,” said police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg.
The investigation is being led by Detective Captain Riccardo McCree, who can be contacted directly on 082 522 3154. Information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
While Oyama’s family continues to wait anxiously for answers, there was relief on the other side of the city when 12-year-old Gael Nukendy was safely reunited with his family in Happy Valley on Tuesday afternoon.
Gael had also gone missing, sparking concern among relatives and the community. His cousin told Weekend Argus that the boy was returned by members of the public while an interview with the family was still underway.
“We are just thankful that he’s back. He actually stepped in while you were speaking to his mother,” the cousin said.
“He is safe and unharmed. Thank you to the people who found him and brought him back.”
Missing persons advocate Veranique Benji Williams, founder of the Faith and Hope Missing Persons Unit, said the festive season once again saw a sharp increase in missing children cases across the province.
“From when the festive season started, we saw a rise in missing persons cases,” Williams said. “Many of the children are runaways who are later reunited with their families, but sadly we also see a lot of rape cases linked to these reports.”
She stressed that when a minor goes missing, every case should be treated as urgent.
“When a child is missing, priority must be taken by everyone: parents, families, neighbours, organisations and the authorities. There needs to be urgency. The quicker a child is reported missing, the quicker the response can be,” she said.
Williams warned that delays in reporting often work against investigations.
“When days pass, there are many factors that count against the child being found. Missing persons cases are often linked to other criminality, such as gender-based violence, assault, abuse and rape.”
She also criticised the misconception that families must wait 48 hours before reporting a missing person.
“There is no waiting period. We still get cases where people are turned away from police stations and told to wait 48 hours, which is not true,” she said.
Williams called on parents to remain vigilant, particularly during the festive season.
“On the Cape Flats, festive season often means partying, but parents need to prioritise their children. Ask where your child is going, who they are with, get contact numbers. You are the parent check up,” she said.
She further urged authorities to strengthen interventions, adding that her organisation is calling for an urgent meeting with the Child Commissioner.
“We face this daily. We always say ‘my child is your child’. This responsibility must come from everyone, and that includes the state,” Williams said.
As the search for Oyama continues, authorities and advocacy groups are urging communities to remain alert and to report any information immediately.