Relief in Rosedale as missing schoolgirls found safe

THE ROSEDALE community was gripped by worry this week after three young schoolgirls failed to arrive at school on Thursday morning, prompting an urgent search involving police units, community patrols, and concerned residents.

Thankfully, the search ended on a positive note on Friday evening, when the girls — Heinoline Beukes, 6, Loraine Pienaar, 11, and Melonice Pienaar, 13 — were found unharmed in the Dakota area, not far from their school.

According to Northern Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Omphile Masegela, the trio, who are pupils at Simbruner Primary School, had left home dressed in their school uniforms on the morning of Thursday, July 24, but never made it to class. 

Their disappearance sparked a swift response from the Rosedale SAPS, who activated all available policing units as well as Community Policing Forum (CPF) structures in the area.

By Friday at approximately 5.30pm, the girls were located and reunited with their relieved families.

The ZF Mgcawu district commissioner, Major-General Monica Sebili, extended her gratitude to everyone involved in the search effort. She also praised the swift response from SAPS members and community partners.

While the police have not released further details about where the girls were during their disappearance, they confirmed that the children were not harmed.

Sergeant Masegela reminded the public that there is no waiting period to report a missing person, especially when a child is involved. Immediate reporting, she said, allows authorities to respond quickly and effectively — as demonstrated in this case.

Although the ordeal was relatively brief, it served as a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of children and the importance of community vigilance.

As Rosedale returns to normal, the relief is palpable — and so is the gratitude.

📞 Who to Contact When Reporting a Missing Person

• Local SAPS Police Station
• Immediately visit or call your nearest SAPS station to report the case. There is no waiting period—you can report someone missing as soon as they're identified as missing.
• You will be asked to fill out a SAPS 55(A) form and submit a recent, clear photo of the missing person.
• National Bureau for Missing Persons / Crime Stop
• Your case will be entered into SAPS’s National Bureau for Missing Persons database, part of their Crime Stop network.
• The public can also provide information or tips via the Crime Stop hotline at 086 00 10 111, the MySAPS app, or by sending an SMS tip-off to the Pink Ladies at 072 214 7439.
• Missing Children South Africa (MCSA)
• This non-profit supports SAPS in missing-child cases.
• To activate their help, you must already have a SAPS case number (OB number).
• Contact details:
• 📞 072 647 7464
• ✉ info@missingchildren.org.za