LIMPOPO – Police in Hoedspruit have intensified search operations for the 21-month-old Kahlodi Mokibelo, who disappeared from Sedawa Village in Mopani District last Friday afternoon, sparking fears in a community already grappling with South Africa’s persistent missing children crisis.
The toddler was last seen playing with other children on 2 April at 16:00. His mother was alerted by one of her children that they had lost track of the boy’s whereabouts during their play session.
Family members immediately launched a search operation throughout the village, later joined by community members who expanded efforts to include nearby areas and a local river. Despite extensive ground coverage, the child remains missing.
Police spokesman Captain Daniel Mukansi is leading the investigation as search teams continue combing the area. “The search remains ongoing with police and other relevant stakeholders continuing operations to locate the missing child,” the police in Hoedspruit confirmed.
The disappearance echoes the high-profile case of Joshlin Smith, the six-year-old who vanished from her Saldanha Bay home in February 2024. More than a year later, Joshlin still remains missing. Her mother and two co-accused face kidnapping and human trafficking charges in the Western Cape High Court.
While the Police has not released updated statistics since 2013, historical data reveals the alarming scope of child disappearances in South Africa. According to the last available figures, a child went missing every five hours in the country, with approximately 16 000 children reported missing over an 18-year period. Most concerning, 25% of those children were never found.
Police urge anyone with information about Kahlodi Mokibelo’s whereabouts to contact investigating officer Captain Daniel Mukansi on 082 573 4773, Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the MySAPSApp. All information will be treated confidentially.
