Durban - An extensive search is underway for 23-year-old UKZN student, Natasha Conabeer, who went missing two weeks ago.
Her friends said she was last seen leaving her Florida Road apartment heading to Inanda, north of Durban, to visit her family.
Her family said “alarm bells” started ringing when her mother, Rosemary contacted her friends last week querying on her whereabouts after not hearing from her daughter.
An emotional Rosemary could not hold back her tears as she recalled last seeing her daughter in June, when she left her Inanda home to go to university.
“Stories of raped and murdered women are really scaring us. We’re worried that something bad has happened to Natasha,” said her friend Zamambo Mkhize.
A missing person's docket has been opened at the Umbilo police station and investigating officers are pleading for anyone who might have information about Conabeer’s disappearance to come forward.
Conabeer’s disappearance comes as the country is reeling from a spate rapes, abductions and killings of women and children, in the past two weeks. These issues were put into the spotlight following the brutal rape and murder of UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana at a Cape Town post office.
President Cyril Ramaphosa this week declared a state of emergency on gender based violence and has called for tougher penalties for perpetrators.