Police in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, are appealing to the public for help in tracing 19-year-old Melanie Gunkel, who disappeared while on her way to school on Saturday morning.
Gunkel, of Gunyeni locality in Ngobozana A/A, was last seen at about 7am while on her way to Lusikisiki Hillbrow High School, police said.
Police spokesperson Captain Welile Matyolo said Gunkel was wearing her school uniform – a grey skirt and a navy jersey – when she disappeared.
“Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Melanie Gunkel is urged to contact the head of the Lusikisiki Detective Service, Colonel Elam Makhamba, on 082 302 5118 or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111,” Matyolo said.
In a separate incident in the same province, Madeira police in Mthatha have appealed for the community’s assistance in locating missing 43-year-old Nkosinathi Tomose.
Tomose, who is originally from Cala and lives in Sandton, Johannesburg, travelled to Mthatha for work-related matters, Matyolo said.
He arrived in Mthatha on July 14, 2026, and was last seen on July 16, at a private bed-and-breakfast accommodation in Norwood.
Anyone with information about Tomose’s whereabouts is urged to contact Madeira police detective Captain Nombekana on 071 475 1885 or the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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