One of the many photos of Thando Madida which was circulated during her disappearance. Photo: Southern Courier
The missing person report has not officially been closed, but Thando Madida is safe and at home.
Her mother, Sthembile Malinga-Madida confirmed that her daughter returned home to Glenvista on 23 May. According to a report sent out by The Pink Ladies Missing Children’s Organisation, Thando went missing on 19 May and was last seen in Little Falls.
Even though the initial case was made at Florida Police Station, the case was transferred to Honeydew. Dessie Rechner, director of The Pink Ladies Missing Children’s Organisation, confirmed the case had been transferred as she was last seen in Little Falls. This was information given to them by Sthembile.
Rechner added the mother would have to close the case at Honeydew station since it had been transferred there.
“I just kept on praying that in whatever condition, she would just come home,” said Sthembile.
The missing persons alert posted by The Pink Ladies on their Facebook page from the information received from Thando’s mother. Photo: Facebook
Thando’s disappearance created a stir on social media with various posts reaching out to the community to help find her. However, these posts were unreliable and insensitive claims were made on her location and death. Some of these allegations were spread by a friend of Thando, who first claimed Thando was at her house before she went missing.
Sthembile said the information that her daughter was last seen in Little Falls was given to her by the friend who had taken to social media about Thando and, therefore, she was wary about the claims.
Sthembile said she is unsure about what happened to her daughter as Thando has not said a word.
With regards to Thando’s friend, Sthembile said she has not been in contact with her and does not want to be.
“I really wish for the police to thoroughly investigate what happened so that it doesn’t happen to anyone else’s child,” she added.”I am waiting for answers and for the law to take its course.”
She said she had difficulty reporting Thando as found to the police, but will go back to the station with Thando as soon as possible.
