More than 1,300 people reported missing

GOTHATAONE MOENG
Staff Writer | Thursday August 9, 2012 00:00

The people reported as missing were aged between two and 86 years. The Minister of Presidential Affairs and Public Administration, Mokgweetsi Masisi, said 650 of them were female and 660 male.

'The success rate nationally for recovery of missing people is 95 percent,' Masisisaid. 'Therefore, of those reported missing in the period, 1,175 were found alive, 70 were found dead while 65 are still missing to-date.' he said.

He was answering a question on behalf of the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Tamadeluka Seretse.Masisi said government had public oriented initiatives for reducing incidences of missing persons and improving response to reports.

These include public education to encourage people to inform their kinsfolk about their whereabouts when they leave home and to carry their Omang at all times. Improving relations between parents and their young children is also encouraged because some reports indicate conflict between parents and their children. In addition, people are urged to take extra care of vulnerable people like children and the elderly.

Minister Masisi said 137 of the missing people in the period were reported to be from the Southern District, 77 of whom were male and 60 female. Their ages ranged from between four and 86. In the Southern District 119 people found alive, 12 found dead and six still mising. The MP for Kanye South, Abram Kesupile, had wanted to know the number of people reported missing in Botswana.