A desperate search is underway in Tshepisong, Roodepoort, for three-year-old Mojalefa Savhuli, who went missing on Sunday, 27 April 2025. The toddler, who lives with autism, was last seen at a local playing field, prompting a large-scale response from the South African Police Service (SAPS), community members, and organizations like Missing Children South Africa (MCSA). As the search intensifies, concerns are growing about the safety of the young boy and the broader issue of missing children in South Africa.
Mojalefa Savhuli was last seen on Sunday afternoon at a playing field in Tshepisong, a township west of Johannesburg. According to reports, the toddler, who primarily communicates through “child-speak” due to his autism, followed other children to a nearby shop and has not been seen since. At the time of his disappearance, Mojalefa was wearing green shorts, a yellow jersey, and black shoes, details that have been widely shared to aid in his identification.
The boy’s father, Murunwa Savhuli, took to social media on 27 April, pleading for help: “My 3-year-old son, Mojalefa Ndivho Savhuli, went missing this afternoon from our home in Tshepisong, Roodepoort. Please help us find him—any retweets or shares would be appreciated.” The post, which included a photo of Mojalefa, has been widely circulated, amplifying the call for assistance.
The South African Police Service has mobilized significant resources to locate Mojalefa. On Tuesday, 29 April, SAPS deployed K9 Units and helicopters across the Westrand area to assist in the search. The operation includes ground teams combing through Tshepisong and surrounding areas, focusing on open fields, informal settlements, and nearby shops where Mojalefa was last headed.
Despite these efforts, some Tshepisong residents have expressed frustration, accusing law enforcement of not doing enough. Community members have joined the search, organizing groups to check local areas and distribute flyers with Mojalefa’s details. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with one user noting, “The Tshepisong community is up in arms, accusing the police of not doing enough to assist.”