Lusikisiki police search for missing 19-year-old woman

Lusikisiki police are appealing to the community for assistance in locating 19-year-old Melanie Gunkel, who has been reported missing.

Police said Melanie, from Gunyeni locality in the Ngobozana Administrative Area, was last seen on Saturday, 1 August 2026, at about 7am.

She was reportedly on her way to Lusikisiki Hillbrow High School when she disappeared. Her family and police have not been able to establish her whereabouts since then.

At the time she was last seen, Melanie was wearing her school uniform: a grey skirt and navy jersey.

Police have urged anyone who may have seen her, or who has information that could help trace her, to come forward.

Anyone with information can contact Lusikisiki Detectives Head Colonel Elam Makhamba on 082 302 5118, or call Crime Stop on 08600 10111.