Here’s the fastest, correct way to report a missing person anywhere in South Africa:
- Call for immediate danger
- If you believe the person is at risk (kidnapping, medical emergency, crime in progress), call SAPS 10111 right away.
- Go to your nearest police station — no 24-hour waiting period
- You can (and should) report a missing person immediately; police must open a case right away.
- Take a clear recent photo and be ready with identifiers: full name, age, height, hair/eye colour, clothing last seen in, scars/tattoos, medical needs/meds, phone numbers/IMEI if known, places they frequent, and last-seen details.
- Open the case and get your reference
- Ask to complete the SAPS 55(A) form (this authorises police to circulate the person’s photo/information).
- Get the CAS/OB (reference) number, and the investigating officer’s name and contact details. Report - Missing Children South Africa
- Ensure national circulation
- Ask that the case be circulated on the National Bureau for Missing Persons database / SAPS Missing Persons pages so stations countrywide are alerted. You can also monitor SAPS “Missing Persons” listings.How to report a missing person | South African Government
- The MySAPS app can help you find the nearest station and view people of interest/missing persons available in your app store.
- Widen the search (after you have a CAS/OB number)
- Missing Children South Africa (MCSA): 072 647 7464 / info@missingchildren.org.za.
- The Pink Ladies (children & adults): WhatsApp 072 214 7439; follow their reporting steps. When a loved one is missing... - The Pink Ladies Organisation for Missing Children
- Share the photo and last-seen info responsibly on community channels; include the CAS/OB number.
- Tip-offs & updates
- Anyone with information can call Crime Stop 08600 10111 or submit via MySAPS (anonymous tips). Keep feeding new info to the investigating officer.
- When the person is found
- Inform the investigating officer and return to the station so SAPS can remove the circulation (SAPS uses a closure form, commonly referenced as SAPS 92