Community rallies to find missing eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke in Lotus River

The search for an eight-year-old girl from Phumlani Village in Lotus River continues after she mysteriously disappeared on Saturday. 

The devastated family from the Riemvasmaak informal settlement last saw Anovuyo Oncke the morning of September 6. 

Speaking to IOL, Anovuyo’s mother, Samanha Oncke, 25, said her daughter was last seen when she left the house at about 7am. 

The Grade 1 learner from Perivale Primary School was last seen wearing black pants and a pink pajama top. 

“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 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. 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 for Anovuyo, said: “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.

Police spokesperson Wesley Twigg confirmed a missing persons case was 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 urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.

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

Cape Times