Family distraught as youth disappears
A DISTRAUGHT family is having sleepless nights after the disappearance of 19-year-old Komani pupil, Siphesande Sibulele Nogela.
Nogela, 19, who is also known as George, went missing on March 14.
His aunt, Zandile Gobeni, said Nogela, who originally came from Butterworth, had moved to Komani last year to live with her.
He is a pupil at Royal Academy High School.
She said he normally went to the arts centre after school but would be home at about 5pm.
When he did not come home last Wednesday, the family went to try and find him and found out that, while he had been coming home late, he had not been to the arts centre for the past three weeks.
“We went to the hospitals, police stations and hostels to look for him but could not find him.”
The family searched the Kings Park residential area, reported the case to the police and had roped in the Komani community in circulating his photo on social media.
Gobeni said Nogela suffered from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and was absent-minded, taking a long time to respond to questions.
She said some other family members had also gone missing in the past.
“We are very sad and hardly rest. I am focused on this crisis and can not do anything else.”
Nogela's life orientation grade 11 teacher Lukhanyo Luzipho said Nogela was quiet and withdrawn but followed instructions well.
“He is artistic. We fear that the number of days that he has been absent will be detrimental, especially since it is exam time.
“The school is helping the family in trying to find him. Anyone with information can contact the school on 045- 838 1090 or royalacedemy@isat.co.za or visit the school at 35 Queens Drive in Komani.
Police spokeswoman Captain Namhla Mdleleni confirmed that a missing person case had been opened and that Nogela was last seen in his school uniform which includes a dark blue blazer with white stripes, a white shirt and grey trousers.
Anyone with information can contact detective sergeant Funeka Mvandaba on 045- 808 6023 or on 086-001 0111.
The Gobeni family may be contacted on 078- 022 9997; 063-008 2590 and 073-853 2746.
The DA searched areas in Komani for any sign of the missing youth this weekend, but to no avail.
DA councillor Zuko Mandile appealed to residents to look out for Nogela and to inform the police or his family of his whereabouts if he was spotted.