More detectives hunt for missing student
Countrywide appeal to find student missing since Saturday
Two more private investigators have been hired to work with police and well-known private detective Noel Pratten as the search for the missing UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana, 19, intensifies.
The announcement was made by the university in a statement to the Daily Dispatch on Thursday.
UCT spokesperson Elijah Maholola said the two had been hired by the university and the management of Roscomm House student residence.
The East London-born Mrwetyana lived in the Claremont-residence in Cape Town.
Maholola said: “In addition to the work being carried out by police and UCT’s campus protection services, three private investigators have now been appointed, one by the family, the university and Roscomm House respectively.”
The move comes after the university’s vice-chancellor, Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng, and other university leaders met with Mrwetyana’s parents Philip and Noma on Wednesday.
Mrwetyana, a first-year film and media studies student, was reportedly last seen on Saturday.
Maholola said Mrwetyana reportedly left Roscomm House, an off-campus residence, around 2pm and was then seen around 5pm at or near a hair salon in Mowbray.
The news of the missing former Hudson Park and Kingswood College pupil has sent
shockwaves across the country.
On Wednesday night UCT students held a night vigil ceremony on the steps of the university’s main hall.
They later took to the streets handing out posters and flyers bearing the face of the Beacon Bay girl.
Similar scenes were seen outside the Rhodes University library on Thursday afternoon.
Rhodes University student and event organiser Mbasa Madwaxaza said: “Kingswood College friends printed posters with their own money, while Rhodes students used their printing credit at the library.”
Maholola said; “UCT is deeply concerned by the disappearance of Ms Mrwetyana and supporting the investigation is our top priority.
“The university is exhausting all possible avenues and is working closely with the family and all law-enforcement authorities.”
The university and the family continue to appeal to anyone who might have any information that might assist with the search to urgently contact campus control on 080-650-2222 or Cape Town police on 021-6572250.
Uyinene is about 1.7m tall and was last seen wearing brown pants and carrying a black handbag.
Maholola further said: “The family has expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support, not only from UCT, but from across the country, and noted all efforts by every concerned party to help find their daughter.”