Missing Learner, Lumka Lengisi, Found

The Western Cape Education Department has just been informed that Lumka Lengisi, a seventeen (17) year old learner from Noluthando School for the Deaf, has been found after she went missing from school on Tuesday morning.

A member of the public, after hearing about reports of her disappearance on radio, contacted the police and informed them that they suspected that the learner could be in Tygerberg Hospital.

She has since been positively identified by her parents.

Initial reports indicate that Lumka was admitted to hospital after she was involved in a taxi accident on Tuesday morning. It is alleged that she was knocked down by the taxi and was admitted to Tygerberg Hospital, sustaining minor injuries.

I would like to thank and commend the South African Police Service (SAPS) on their efforts to find Lumka, as well as the many community members who have spent the last two (2) days searching for her.

I would also like to thank the media for heeding our urgent appeal for publicity for this case. The co-operation between the police, the education department, the media and the community ultimately led police to finding Lumka.

I am delighted that she has been re-united with her family.

The Department will fully investigate the circumstances that led to her disappearance and will ensure, as far as possible, that this situation is never again repeated.