The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) is appealing to the public to assist in locating a missing 17-year-old girl from Mhlaleni.
According to a notice issued by the police, Thubelihle Ndlovu was last seen on May 4, at approximately 6:40am when she left home for KaBoyce High School. She has not been seen since, and her whereabouts remain unknown.
Members of the public who might have seen her, or have any information that could assist in tracing her, are encouraged to report to the nearest police station or contact the numbers provided in the official alert.
Missing person cases involving minors are generally treated as high priority due to the vulnerability of children. In such cases, initial police procedures typically involve tracing the individual’s last known movements, engaging with family members and gathering relevant information from schools, community members and other potential witnesses.
Authorities also rely heavily on rapid public alerts in order to widen the search area and increase the chances of locating missing persons safely. Early reporting is considered critical in such cases, as it allows investigators to act quickly while information is still current and leads remain active.
Acting Deputy Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Mazwi Ndzimandze said public cooperation is often a key factor in missing person investigations, particularly where sightings or credible tips can assist in establishing a clearer timeline of events.
However, police consistently caution against the spread of unverified information, particularly on social media, as this can create confusion, mislead investigations, or cause unnecessary distress to affected families.
The police have reiterated that all missing person cases are handled with urgency and sensitivity, especially where minors are involved.
