It has been a year since the disappearance of eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke from Riemvasmaak informal settlement in Phumlani Village, in the Western Cape.
Anovuyo was last seen on the morning of September 6, 2025, after leaving the house at about 7am.
The Grade 1 Perivale Primary School learner was last seen wearing black pants and a pink pajama top.
The founder of the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit (WCMPU), Candice van der Rheede, said this case is concerning because there had been no reports of any sightings of the little girl.
Image: Supplied
Community vigilance
“This case of Anovuyo reminds me of the nine-year-old Linathi Titshala, who went from her grandmother’s house to her parents’ place in someone’s yard that is about three or four houses away. She just disappeared. Nobody saw her,” van der Rheede said.
Linathi Titshala mysteriously disappeared in Delft on December 16, 2018. The young girl was last seen leaving her grandmother’s home in Cork Tree Street in Thubelisha, headed doors away to her parents’ home.
Van der Rheede said it was concerning in an area that is usually buzzing with activity, people didn’t notice anything.
“We need to start being extra vigilant, especially when it comes to our children. We cannot live in a society knowing there are so many criminals out there who will take our children. We are still in a mode where we walk past children who are playing alone without saying anything. We need to start adopting the ‘your child is my child’ approach, especially when it comes to small children,” van der Rheede said.
Police reward for safe return of Anovuyo
Last week, Western Cape SAPS offered a R50,000 cash reward for the safe return of Anovuyo.
The provincial police spokesperson, Thembakazi Mpendukana, said the Wynberg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit is offering the cash reward.
“A cash reward of up to R50,000 is being offered to any person who can assist with information that can lead to the safe return of eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke, who went missing after she went to play with friends in Riemvasmaak, Phumlani Village, and never returned,” Mpendukana said.
A hopeful community
Community worker Beryl Williams will be hosting a mass prayer session with residents of Riemvasmaak informal settlement as they remain hopeful of the young child’s return.
Speaking to IOL, Williams said there is a sombre cloud over the community as Anovuyo remains missing.
“The feeling here is even more sadness than before. Since residents identified a potential suspect on July 4, after the rape of a 16-year-old, they have been appealing for the SAPS and FCS Unit to send out the K9 Unit,” she said.
Williams said they will not stop searching for the missing eight-year-old.
“Even if we must pay for the dogs ourselves and raise funds, we will do so. These people deserve better. We will be having an event, lighting candles; food will also be handed out as we remain hopeful of finding Anovuyo,” she said.
Williams, who has been speaking on behalf of Anovuyo’s mother, Samantha Oncke, said she is not taking her daughter’s disappearance well.
“Samantha is extremely sad. She needs therapy. She doesn’t speak. She has just gone quiet. I am trying my best to motivate her that she will get her child. We won’t stop searching,” Williams said.
