{"id":33266,"date":"2026-06-20T13:32:30","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:32:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=33266"},"modified":"2026-06-20T13:32:37","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:32:37","slug":"vanishing-act-lephalale-family-disappearance-sparks-police-investigation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/vanishing-act-lephalale-family-disappearance-sparks-police-investigation\/","title":{"rendered":"Vanishing Act: Lephalale Family Disappearance Sparks Police Investigation"},"content":{"rendered":"

POLOKWANE<\/strong> \u2013 A perplexing situation has emerged in the Limpopo town of Lephalale following the mysterious disappearance of a mother and her two young sons, prompting police to take significant steps in their search for the family.<\/p>\n

Authorities have initiated an inquiry into the case of 37-year-old Phindile Ntombifuthi Phalatse and her two sons, Lebone Abongwe Phalatse (12) and Lethabo Zemvelo Phalatse (7), who have not been seen for several months.<\/p>\n

The investigation has raised serious questions as details surrounding the family\u2019s abrupt disappearance continue to surface.<\/p>\n

According to police, family members last communicated with Phalatse and her children in January 2026. As the absence stretched across weeks into months, worry grew among relatives who made repeated attempts to contact the family, all without any success.<\/p>\n

The situation escalated on 13 June 2026 when a worried family member went to the home of Phalatse in Onverwacht, Lephalale, for a wellness check.<\/p>\n

This visit revealed even more unsettling information.<\/p>\n

Neighbors informed that they last saw the mother and her two children in March 2026, and have not observed any activity from the family since then.<\/p>\n

Preliminary inquiries by police indicated that one of the family’s cars remained parked at their home. However, a Ford Kuga<\/strong> that is believed to belong to them is currently missing and has not been located.<\/p>\n

Investigators are examining whether the disappearance of the vehicle is related to the family’s unexplained absence.<\/p>\n

Authorities have not yet shared if there have been reports of the vehicle spotted in any other areas of the country.<\/p>\n

Additional investigations have uncovered more troubling information.<\/p>\n

It was found that Phalatse resigned from her employment in June 2024, and her two children have reportedly not been in school since November 2025.<\/p>\n

This timeline presents challenges as investigators try to understand the events leading to the family\u2019s disappearance.<\/p>\n

While police have not ruled out foul play, they have opened inquiry dockets to uncover the exact circumstances surrounding the family\u2019s vanishing.<\/p>\n

Authorities are calling on the public for assistance in the search.<\/p>\n

Anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of Phalatse and her children is urged to reach out. Contact Detective Sergeant Mambo Nndwamato at 071 511 4310 or 079 765 8761. Information can also be reported to the nearest police station, through Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or via the MySAPS App.<\/p>\n

As the investigation proceeds, a family is yearning for answers while the local community is left perplexed by the sudden disappearance of a mother and her two young children.<\/p>\n

Police investigations are ongoing.<\/p>\n