A Mamelodi East family’s anguish continues after their daughter went missing a week ago. 16-year-old Kate Matemotja was last seen in Lusaka on 8 April. She had been wearing grey jeans, a black net top with long sleeves, black Vans sneakers and a white bandana.
The family is distressed as the teen has not been found.Itumeleng Matemotja, Kate’s mother said her child left home in D2 on her birthday on 7 April to go to her father’s house in Extension 4.
According to Matemotja Kate went to her grandmother’s house in Tsakane to celebrate her birthday.
“She left the next day. We were expecting her to come back. We are very worried about her”.
She told Gauteng News that it was unusual for her daughter to disappear without alerting anyone from the family.
“She always calls to inform us of her whereabouts. Even when she is with her grandmother or friends she would usually call in to check on us especially on her younger sibling,” she said.
A visibly distraught Matemotja has been battling to sleep since the disappearance of her child.
“I hardly sleep at night wondering where she is. I manage to get some food down, and I am trying not to assume the worse but with things happening to young girls, it’s really hard not to.”
Mamelodi East Police Spokesman Constable Lethabo Mashilonane said preliminary investigations showed Kate Matemotja was set to meet up with a friend in Lusaka, but didn’t make it to the friend’s place.
“A missing person’s case was opened and is currently under investigation,” he said.
Mashilonane appealed to anyone with information on Matemotja’s whereabouts to contact the Mamelodi East police station on 012-815-7080 or alternatively family members. Mother : 064-871-4665, Father: 072-739-5234 and Uncle: 081-437-4140.
