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Still missing: Ms Lydia Madeleine Maake.

“Counselling for families of missing people”

 

Every police station has cases of missing persons registered each year – with some missing persons eventually being found and others taking longer to be found, while the search continues...

The most affected parties in such cases are the families, relatives, fellow pupils and colleagues of the missing persons.

The Pink Ladies is a non-profit organisation which addresses missing persons' cases and uses both Facebook and website domains to help trace the missing persons. The Pink Ladies' director, Jacqui Thomas, recommends that the parents or family of a missing person seek counselling as soon as possible to provide them with coping mechanisms.

“This assistance may initially be obtained from an on-site trauma counsellor at the police station involved,” Thomas says. “Although more the exception than the rule, there are circumstances in which missing persons are found deceased or never found. Although we never give up on a case until there is closure, it is extremely important for the loved ones of the missing to have a support structure in place.”

Ms Lydia Madeleine Maake (31), who was last seen around Musina in February last year, has not been found yet. Her story appeared in the Limpopo Mirror of 1 August, 2014. “We have tried our best to find her, but she's nowhere to be seen,” said her distraught husband, Joseph Ramazani Katunda.

A resident of Vleifontein, Ms Rosah Nkadimeng Rabothata (61), went missing while on her way home from a check-up at the Polokwane Provincial Hospital on 14 October 2014. She allegedly failed to alight at her correct bus stop. Rabothata was last seen wearing a black-and-brown shawl, black beanie, migusha socks and spectacles.

“No one can come to terms with the fact that a loved one is missing,” the missing lady's nephew, Mr Berry Hlangwane, said. “We worry day and night, as we think of her safety.”

A mentally ill patient, Mr Khaukanani Daniel Tshidada (38) of Madombidzha village, was reported missing late in 2013. According to Tshidada's mother, Vho-Elisa Tshidada, she has not heard of or from her son ever since then.

“I am unable to sleep at night because I am always thinking about my son,” she repeated the same words that she told Limpopo Mirror early last year (21 January 2014). “I am not sure if he is safe, wherever he is at this stage.”

Families of the missing persons are advised to approach welfare services, Families South Africa, private psychologists and counsellors for professional counselling.

Families South Africa Vhembe's social worker, Ms Grace Chifamba, says that family tracing, counselling, therapy and support services are essential for families and friends of missing persons during the disappearance of a loved one or after they have been located.

“Having little control over a situation can be overwhelming and eventually lead to burnout,” she says. “Famsa offers counselling, therapy and support services for such families to help them cope with the trauma and loss and to manage the stress associated with the disappearance of a loved one.”

Famsa Vhembe can be contacted at 015 962 3728.

The Pink Ladies's website is www.pinkladies.org.za and email is [email protected].

Anyone who has information about any of the missing persons can contact the nearest police station.

News - Date: 26 February 2015

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Not found yet: Mr Khaukanani Daniel Tshidada.

The search continues: Ms Rosah Nkadimeng Rabothata.

 

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Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]

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