U-turn and police reunite Namibian sisters in Cape Town after two-month separation

U-turn Homeless Ministries and the local police helped reunite two young sisters after they got separated in Cape Town for more than two months.

U-turn works towards rehabilitating the homeless and helps reintegrate them into society. U-Turn spokesperson, Stephen Underwood, said they were grateful for the support of the local police and their staff at U-Turn’s Claremont Homeless Service Centre for reuniting sisters, Linda and Fransina Ndemushakena, from Namibia.

Mr Underwood said that Linda, 25, arrived in the country in July to visit her sister, Fransina, who had been living in Hout Bay. The two planned to return home together a week later.

While trying to find transport in Bellville, they became separated in the dark. Confused and scared, Linda ran when she saw a police car, thinking she might be in trouble. Moments later, she was chased by a white car and lost sight of her sister. 

Mr Underwood said that Mowbray police found Linda two days later, who was exhausted and hungry, and they brought her to U-turn’s Powerhouse safe space in Claremont.

U-Turn’s social auxiliary worker Noxolo Mandukwini said that Linda was physically and emotionally drained.

“She hadn’t eaten or bathed in two days. I gave her a shower, clean clothes, food, and new shoes,” she said.

While Linda was recovering, Ms Mandukwini started searching for Fransina.

She contacted police stations, the Namibian consulate, and even shared photos on Facebook. With the help of a friend in Hout Bay, she eventually traced the sisters’ former landlord, who supplied contact details for their family in Namibia. The trail led back to Bellville, where police had admitted a woman matching Fransina’s description to Stikland Hospital. 

“After two months of searching, we finally found her,” said Ms Mandukwini.

With assistance from  Warrant Officer Lutchmee Chetty of Claremont police, U-Turn arranged for Fransina’s discharge and transport to the Claremont centre, where the two sisters embraced in tears of relief.

For the next few weeks, they stayed safely at Powerhouse in Claremont while U-turn coordinated with their family in Namibia. On Tuesday, September 30, their older sister Veronica Ndemushakena arrived in Cape Town to take them home. Staff and clients gathered to say goodbye. 

U-Turn’s centre manager, Raymond Bowman, said moments like these remind the team why they do what they do. “We see hardship every day, but this story shows what can happen when people care enough to get involved. I commend my staff who go above and beyond every day to serve our clients, affirm their dignity, and provide hope.”

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