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Report immediately

Report a missing child.

There is no 24-hour waiting period in South Africa. If someone is missing, report it now. Below is exactly what to do, in the order to do it.

Call 072 647 7464 Go to the form
The process

Three steps to get a search moving.

Follow these in order. Step one is the one that legally starts everything else.

1

Complete a SAPS 55(A) form at your nearest police station

The SAPS 55(A) is the official missing person report. It also gives the police permission to distribute the missing person's photograph and information publicly.

Take a recent, good-quality photograph with you. Before you leave the station, make sure you have the case number and the name and contact details of the investigating officer.

Do not let anyone tell you to wait 24 hours. No such waiting period exists in law.

2

Complete the MCSA report form below

Fill in every field as accurately as you can. The more detail we have, the more useful the flyer we distribute across our national network will be.

By law, MCSA cannot process a request without an official SAPS case number.

3

Keep us posted

Tell us about any and all progress: new information, sightings, or changes from the investigating officer.

Most importantly, tell us the moment the person is found, so we can stop circulating their details and take the flyer down.

Checklist

What you need to have ready.

Gather these before you start the form. If you are missing something, call us. Do not delay the report on account of a missing detail.

  • A stamped SAPS case number or enquiry number
  • The investigating officer's name, station and contact number
  • The missing person's full name, surname and date of birth
  • A recent, clear photograph
  • A full description of the clothing last worn
  • The parent or guardian's full name, signature and contact number

Keep someone at home

Make sure a responsible person stays at the home address to receive any messages or calls, and in case the missing person returns on their own.

Tell us when they come home

77% of the children reported to us are found. When yours is one of them, let us know straight away so we can withdraw their details from circulation.

Our service is free

MCSA never charges a family for assistance. If anyone asks you for payment to circulate a missing person's details, it is not us.

Step 2

Missing person report form.

All fields marked with an asterisk are required.

01SAPS case details
We cannot process a report without this.
02The missing person
03Physical description
If none, please write "None".
04Last seen
Include colours, brands and footwear if you can.
If unknown, please write "Unknown".
A clear, recent head-and-shoulders photo works best.
05Your details
Other emergency numbers

If you need a different kind of help.

These national helplines are free to call.

SAPS emergency10111 Emergency from a mobile112 Childline South Africa116 SAPS Crime Stop0860 010 111 Gender-based violence0800 428 428 Human trafficking hotline0800 222 777 Gender violence helpline0800 150 150 National counselling line0861 322 322

Persons with disability: SMS the word HELP to 31531.