Exclusive: Parents arrested for child negligence as search continues for missing eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke

As schools are set to open for the 2026 school year next week- the parents of eight-year-old Anovuyo Oncke of Phumlani Village have been arrested for child negligence and are due back in court next month.

Anovuyo is set to begin Grade three at Perivale Primary School in Lotus River but her spot remains empty at her desk with her classmates missing her.

The case comes as the police’s Khayelitsha Family Violence Child Protection Sexual Offences Unit sought the assistance of the public to help find eight year old Oyama Titshala who went missing on December 14, 2025 when he left his home in Ceba Street, Makhaza.

The child was reported missing on January 2 2026, by his mother.

By Tuesday afternoon, the police confirmed the child was found in Makhaza.

"Due to the sensitive nature of the incident this office is not in a postion to dulvulge any further information regarding his disappearance," Police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg said.

This week, the Department of Social Development (DSD) confirmed they had been made aware of Oyama’s case and was providing support.

Community workers and missing persons organisations who have rallying find Anovuyo said despite the case having reached a form of development with the charge of negligence, the child remains missing.

Police spokesperson, Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed that both parents, Samantha Oncke, and Luvuyo Matile were arrested on charges of child negligence when questioned by Cape Argus what the latest developments were in the case.

“Be advised that the child is still missing. Both parents were arrested and charged for child negligence. They are currently out on bail, awaiting their next court appearance,” she said.

Anovuyo went missing on September 6 2025 while playing with friends and is from Riemvasmaak informal settlement in Phumlani Village near Lotus River.

In November, the Wynberg Family Violence Child Protection Sexual Offences Unit offered a cash reward of up to R50 000 to any person who can assist with information that can lead to the safe return of Anovuyo.

Police said they exhausted all avenues in efforts to reunite the child with her family.

In September, Matile told IOL that he was disappointed and hurt that police were trying to point a finger at him.

He claimed the police were blaming him and that he had two other children who were taken to the Eastern Cape by their mother.

Community worker, Beryl Williams who has been at the forefront of the investigation and assists with other missing persons cases said the case had reached a dead end but had now learnt via the Cape Argus of the parents arrest.

Williams immediately made contact with the parents who confirmed they had made an appearance in court and that their youngest child had been removed by social workers.

In November, Williams was also part of the case where a five year old was nearly kidnapped by a foreign national in Phumlani Village but was rescued by two men, Rudy Roman and Faanie Olivier who became heroes.

The man was arrested and detained.

Williams also questioned whether the suspect could be linked to Anovuyo' case. 

“They (parents) were picked up by police and taken to court and asked if they want legal aid and they were told they were there for Anovuyo's case and that they need to be back at court on February 10,” she explained.

“Their youngest child was removed by social workers and they have not seen that child.

“The parents said they are appearing for that case in March.

‘They have been arrested for negligence, but where is the child?

“They arrested a suspect for another case of a five-year-old, he was in custody but there has been no developments in Anovuyo’s case.

“I have asked the police to look into that case of the Bongo, the one who tried to take the five-year-old, if there is a link.

“That accused is not speaking, I understand.

“The heroes took him to the police station and he begged them to take the child and said sorry.”

Candice van der Rheede, founder of the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit said sadly there were no developments in a case but that they would not give up: “The fact that little Anovuyo is still missing is so sad. Every year statistics become worse and another child's face is added to the angels who haven't been found. We will not lose hope and continue to look for Anovuyo and the other babies who still remain missing. 

Esther Lewis spokesperson for DSD said they could not comment on the child negligence case relating to Anovuyo but confirmed the placement of a child member: “The Department is aware of the matter. This case was handled by a Designated Child Protection Organisation that followed a court order for the temporary placement of the child in a place of safety. We cannot comment on the specifics of the case.”

In relation to the case of Oyama, Lewis explained that they were also part of the support for the family: “DSD is aware of the matter, and contact has been made with the family.

Assessments will be conducted to determine how to best support the family and loved ones.”

* Anyone with any information who can assist with the investigation of Anovuyo is requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Sergeant Laeeq Henderson on 082 522 1078 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

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