Search underway for the missing East London shop owner and employee

The SAPS with the assistance from other stakeholders have launched an extensive search for the missing shop owner and her employee, who disappeared under dubious circumstances in Kidds Beach on Sunday morning.

On Sunday, 9 July 2023 at about 11:00, shop owner, Zoleka Gantana (57) and her assistant, Kholosa Mpunga (27), were reported missing at the Kidds Beach Police Station

The inexplicable disappearance of the two people was reported to their families after a customer and neighbour found the spaza shop in Ncera Village 7, Kidds Beach unattended and with several items missing. The owner’s vehicle, a white Isuzu Bakkie single cab with registration number HVH 157 EC was also missing.

Police have opened a criminal case of housebreaking and theft (business premises) with a possibility of additional charges at the later stage of the investigation.

The circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the two are not clear. Police are urging anyone with information about the whereabouts of the missing persons to contact the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Lawrence Human on 083 657 8904. The information may also be shared via Crime Stop on 08600 10111.