How to trace a person in South Africa free of charge: helpful guide
Tracing and tracking people has become easier and more common as technology advances. Decades ago, it was significantly difficult to find someone since the internet was relatively unadvanced. Today, the situation is quite different, with numerous tools and platforms providing tracing and tracking services. Figuring out how to trace a person in South Africa for free is essential in case the need ever arises.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
While tracing and tracking have become easier, there are still numerous legal grey areas regarding these practices. There has also been an increase in fraudulent apps that claim to help trace or track a person but never do.
How to trace a person in South Africa for free
How can I trace a person? Here are the various options one can use to trace a person for free in South Africa. It is worth noting that tracing a person requires you to have some information about them. This typically includes their name, photo, phone number, or email address.
How to trace a person via their name
Here are the various ways you can trace a person using their name.
Reverse search via social media
Source: UGC
Modern-day social media platforms have a lot of information regarding people, their friends, schools, and locations. Doing a reverse name search means looking for a person based on some information such as their name or phone number.
To do a reverse name search on social media, log in to your account (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other) and navigate to the search bar. Type in the person’s name and press enter. If you are lucky enough to trace the person, you can click on their profile and see whether you can find additional info about them.
Google reverse name lookup
This works the same way as a social media reverse search, but the Google alternative has additional features. For example, you can use various search operators to refine your query. These operators are tools that instruct the search engine on what to include or exclude in your search.
For example, the “” operators tell the search engine to only show results that have the entire phrase you searched. This means that if you search for “John Mills Doe”, on Google, you will only be presented with results that contain the three names exactly as you typed them.
SA directories reverse search
The South African government has numerous directories, some of which are accessible as public records. If you can get access to one of these directories, you can trace a person by reverse-checking them in the directory.
A prime example is White Pages South Africa, an extensive directory with numerous contacts, social media integration, and a reverse lookup feature.
How to track a person via their cell phone number
How can I track a number? Besides a person’s name, a phone number is another common piece of information used to trace or track a person. Here is how to trace a number in South Africa.
Through the South African police department
Source: UGC
If you have legal cause to track a number, you can get assistance from the country’s police department. Possible causes include harassment, threats, and intimidation. You will only need to file your case with the police, who will then take the necessary measures to track the owner of the number in question.
If you are wondering how to trace a person in South Africa with an ID number for free, this is also your only legal option. Since the police have access to numerous databases, they can easily track a person by accessing more info from their ID.
Apps such as WhatsApp
If a person has shared their location tracking with you, you can easily tell where they are via WhatsApp. The app has a handy ‘live location sharing’ feature that allows another person to see the location and movements of another.
Third-party phone tracking apps
If you Google ‘how to track a phone number,’ you will most probably come across results recommending various tracking apps. While one can track a person through various smartphone apps, the legality of this practice remains a grey area. It is only advisable to use these third-party apps if you have a tracking warrant from the relevant agencies or departments.
Reverse lookup apps
Can I find out who a phone number belongs to in South Africa? Yes, you can. One of the most popular phone number reverse lookup apps is TrueCaller. The app has millions of users who regularly update information about spam callers, regular contacts, and additional information about people on the database. If you are lucky, you will even find a photo of the person whose number you are looking up.
Most of these apps are available on iOS and Android, making them easily accessible to pretty much anyone with a smartphone. Some are also available as web applications accessible via any browser.
Reverse lookup on search engines
Source: UGC
This works the same way as the name reverse lookup. The only difference is that instead of doing the reverse search using a name, you will use a person’s phone number. On Facebook, for example, you can easily find a person through their cellphone number if they have it set as viewable to the public.
You can also do a number lookup on Google, though this will only work for numbers that frequently appear in the public domain.
Tracing a person through a photo
The last piece of information with which you can trace a person is their photo. If you have this, head over to the Google Reverse Image search engine and click on the camera icon. You will be asked to upload the person’s photo, after which Google will attempt to look for the source of the original image. This way, you might be lucky to be redirected to a page containing the person’s information.
Figuring out how to trace a person in South Africa for free is important in case one finds themselves in a position that requires one to do so. Luckily, there are various legal options one can use to do this using different types of information.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!
READ ALSO: How to check if you have outstanding traffic fines
Briefly.co.za recently published a guide on how to check whether you have outstanding traffic fines. A motorist who defies road safety rules endangers the lives of other road users. As a result, they can either go to jail or pay fines as punishment for their offences to stop them from repeating the same mistakes.
Once you receive an infringement notice, you should review the options within the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Infringement (AARTO) act. Paying the fine on time saves you time and other additional charges.
Source: Briefly News
Ruth Gitonga (Lifestyle writer) Ruth Gitonga has a background experience in Mass Communication for over six years. She graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in Mass Communication in December 2014. In 2023, Ruth finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. She has worked for Briefly.co.za for five years now. She specializes in topics like lifestyle, entertainment, travel, technology, and sports. Email: gitongaruth14@gmail.com.
Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Briefly.co.za, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Jackline finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.
