Police: STILL no sign of missing Gqeberha mother [Update]

The mother of two is STILL missing. Photo: SAPS

Police: Gqeberha mother STILL missing [Update]

Eastern Cape police said there is still no sign of 45-year-old Sylvia Wittal, mother of two, who was reported missing in December last year.

Police: STILL no sign of missing Gqeberha mother [Update]

The mother of two is STILL missing. Photo: SAPS

Police said the 45-year-old mother of two from Gqeberha is still missing. Her car was found abandoned at the beginning of the year.

POLICE FOUND HER CAR IN SACRAMENTO

According to police Sylvia Wittal has been missing since Thursday, 30 December 2021.

“It is alleged that the last contact with Sylvia was on 30 December 2021, when her ex-boyfriend, Kevin Crouse had a telephonic conversation with her.

“A missing person’s report was opened with the police on 2 January 2022 after her vehicle, a silver KIA Picanto was found abandoned at Sacramento in Schoenmakerskop. It is suspected that the vehicle was parked there for about two days.”

Police: STILL no sign of missing Gqeberha mother [Update]
Police: STILL no sign of missing Gqeberha mother , Sylvia Wittal Photos: SAPS

Police said it is also alleged that she left home with a blue backpack with the words ‘Iron Kids’ written on it.

“It was also established that she may have taken her late grandmother’s ashes with her. The ashes were in a very small container with a floral picture on the lid.
Sylvia has a distinctive tattoo on her right arm.”

THE LAST CONTACT WITH THE MOTHER WAS IN DECEMBER

According to her ex-husband, he allegedly last spoke to her on the phone on Thursday, 30 December 2021, to make arrangements for their two children.

After he allegedly did not see or hear from her again, he opened a missing person report on 02 January 2022.

ALSO READ: Husband of murdered KZN pastor reported missing amid investigation

Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the search for Sylvia has intensified as the case has been assigned to a seasoned detective officer to find her.

“D/Const Ridwaan Baatjies of SAPS Humewood detectives has taken over the investigation and will be probing every possibility that led to her disappearance. Although a missing person’s report is currently being investigated, police have not ruled out suicide or foul play,”  

Naidu said.

POLICE HAVE NOT RULED OUT SUICIDE OR FOUL PLAY

She furthermore said the K9 Search and Rescue had conducted several searches in and around the area with no positive results. 

On Saturday, 22 January 2022, the community also searched in the vicinity, with no positive results.

According to Naidu the vehicle has since been impounded for forensic tests.

Sylvia’s Silver Kia Picanto was found at Sacramento, Schoenmakerskop by police.

According to police, eyewitnesses in the area said the vehicle had been parked there for the past two days.

DO YOU HAVE MORE INFORMATION? 

Police are appealing to anyone who could assist in tracing Sylvia or may have any information, no matter how irrelevant one may think it is, to contact D/Const Baatjies on 073 1303018 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or their nearest police station. All information is confidential and callers may remain anonymous.

ALSO READ: Missing woman found buried in a shallow grave in Gqeberha

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE A MISSING LOVED ONE:

When a person goes missing, it is of the utmost importance for the SAPS to fulfill our mandate to serve and protect the citizens of South Africa. It is essential to take steps and start the investigation into a missing person’s case immediately. You can assist the SAPS when reporting a missing person by following these steps:

  • THERE IS NO WAITING PERIOD TO REPORT A MISSING PERSON!

Report a missing person at your nearest police station immediately.

  • Produce a recent photograph of the missing person, if possible.
  • Give a complete description of the missing person’s last whereabouts, clothes that they were wearing, as well as any information that can assist the investigating officer.
  • Complete and sign a SAPS 55(A) form. This form safeguards the SAPS from hoax reports and indemnifies the SAPS to distribute the photograph and information of the missing person.
  • Obtain the investigating officer’s contact details, and send any additional information that might become available.
  • If a missing person is found or returns voluntarily, inform the investigating officer immediately. A SAPS 92 form must be completed to inform the Bureau of Missing Persons that the missing person’s report can be removed from the circulation system.