AGED PICTURE HELPS COPS

An age progression expert has worked behind the scenes, collaborating with the South African Police to create an image of how Asheeqah Noordien would look today. 

Six-year-old Asheeqah vanished without a trace from Eva Court, Stormsriver Road, Manenberg.

However, her mother, Naeemah Noordien and grandmother, Jacqueline Jansen, 67, revealed that they believed she may be alive and living in Cape Town, possibly on a farm in Philippi.

Now with the help of the picture of what 26-year-old Asheeqah might look like, police are now working behind the scenes, actively responding to any leads or information that could piece together what happened to Asheeqah on 14 May 2005. 

Manenberg Police Station communications officer Captain Ian Bennett explains: “[On] the 20th anniversary of her disappearance approaches, her family remains unwavering in their search for answers. 

“Her grandmother, Jacqueline Jansen and mother Naeema Noordien, has never given up hope. For years, they visited the Manenberg police station daily, refusing to let time erase their daughter’s memory.

“They continue to live at the same address, searching tirelessly, never placing blame on anyone, only holding onto the belief that Asheeqah will be found. 

Ouma Jacky Jansen recently had a vivid dream in which Asheeqah called out for help.

Bennett adds: “The experience was so powerful that she believes it was a spiritual connection with her missing granddaughter. 

“We are often the last hope for people that have nowhere to go in their time of hopelessness, they turn to us, SAPS Manenberg has recommitted itself in reopening the investigation.” 

Bennett shared the experts explanation on how age progression is done, simply not just utilising tools such as AI. 

He explains: "It's crucial to obtain several clear unedited photos of the missing person. It's also equally important to get clear photos of their siblings and parents with similar features to see the different stages of how they've aged through the years.

“Having said this, it's also tricky to age-progress a missing child's face to the level of adulthood. While an adult's facial features have already developed, a child's face goes through a whole series of changes over the years.

“It's also essential for the artist to find out more about the missing person's background, their personality, how they looked after themselves, dietary habits, their lifestyles, etc. For example smokers, drug users, alcoholics, or binge-eaters will age differently to those living a more wholesome lifestyle.”