The Hawks and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) have announced a R1 million reward for information that leads to the rescue of four children who disappeared from their family home in Ntabankulu, in the Eastern Cape, on 10 November 2024.
What investigators have confirmed
The missing children are cousins Sive Siganga, aged seven, and three four‑year‑olds – Oyintando, Thabisile and Thabile Siganga. According to the Hawks, the minors were last seen playing in the yard of their homestead in the Mjila Administrative Area in Ntabankulu and "seemingly vanished without a trace under circumstances that continue to perplex investigators." The disappearance prompted the opening of a kidnapping case and the subsequent involvement of the DPCI.
The Hawks said more than a year and a half has elapsed since the children went missing and that investigators have conducted multiple interventions, including intelligence‑driven enquiries, inter‑provincial follow‑ups, community engagements and analysis of information received to date.
"Their disappearance simultaneously elevates this matter to a level of exceptional concern and urgency," the Hawks said in a statement.
Reward and public appeal
Authorities confirmed a R1 million reward has been offered for information that directly leads to the rescue of the children. The Hawks have made an urgent appeal to a wide range of community stakeholders to assist, naming traditional leaders, community leaders, faith‑based organisations, civic structures, educational institutions, media, and NGOs focused on child protection.
The renewed appeal underscores continued concern within law enforcement about the unresolved nature of the case and the need to widen the pool of potential leads and witnesses.
Investigative steps already taken
According to the Hawks, the investigative response has included:
- Intelligence‑driven enquiries across provincial borders
- Targeted community engagements in and around the Mjila Administrative Area
- Detailed analysis of all information presented to investigators
Investigators said these efforts have been "exhaustive and relentless," though they did not disclose operational details, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation.
Local impact and community concerns
The disappearance of young children from a homestead in a rural area reverberates through small Eastern Cape communities where extended families and neighbours are tightly networked. Cases such as this often strain community trust and heighten fear among parents and caregivers, particularly when children vanish while under informal supervision at home.
Local leaders and civil society groups were specifically urged to assist in disseminating information and encouraging anyone with knowledge to come forward. The Hawks’ public appeal is intended both to generate new leads and to reassure the community that the matter remains a priority for specialised investigators.
What the public can do
Authorities have called on anyone with information to report it immediately. While investigators have not released specific contact numbers in their public statement, standard practice is to present information directly to the nearest SAPS station, the Hawks, or the DPCI through official channels.
When reporting, people should be prepared to provide:
- Any descriptions or sightings of the children since 10 November 2024
- Details of unknown vehicles or persons seen in the area around the time they disappeared
- Any recordings, messages, or social‑media posts that may be relevant
Broader context
Missing‑children investigations that extend over months require multi‑layered co‑ordination between local police, provincial units and national investigative structures such as the DPCI. The Eastern Cape has faced multiple high‑profile missing‑children and abduction cases in recent years, prompting calls for greater community policing capacity, faster forensic turnaround and improved cross‑jurisdictional information sharing.
For now, the Hawks are continuing their enquiries and emphasising the urgency of any tip‑offs that could lead to the children's whereabouts. The R1 million reward is designed to incentivise people with crucial information to come forward.
| Child | Age | Last seen |
|---|---|---|
| Sive Siganga | 7 | 10 November 2024, Mjila Administrative Area |
| Oyintando Siganga | 4 | 10 November 2024, Mjila Administrative Area |
| Thabisile Siganga | 4 | 10 November 2024, Mjila Administrative Area |
| Thabile Siganga | 4 | 10 November 2024, Mjila Administrative Area |
The Hawks have reiterated the appeal across the province and nationally, asking for the public’s assistance in what they describe as an investigation of "exceptional concern and urgency." Authorities continue to ask anyone with information to come forward through police channels so that the children can be found and returned to their family.
