Ten days after being reported missing, the body of Andries Vermaak (75) was discovered in the spruit at the Bokkie Park just after 07:00 this morning (August 12).

The pensioner, who suffered from dementia, went missing from his home in Sunward Park on August 2.

On August 7, the Boksburg Advertiser reported that ‘Oom Andries’, as he was affectionately known, was living with his daughter, Chérie van de Venter, and was known to occasionally leave the house, with his loved ones locating him a few hours later.

Concern, however, grew as it was the first time that he had been missing for so long. It led to the mobilisation of a mass community search.

Driven by Bobby Marilli, the founder of the Boksburg 911 WhatsApp group, which boasts a 5 000-strong membership, the search also involved members of Missing in SA Search and Rescue and Missing in Southern Africa.

Concerned members gathered daily from 17:00 at the park between Sonskyn Road and Suikerbekkie Street, Sunward Park, to search the streets for the elderly man.

“The searches further extended to Elsburg and Alberton, following reports that Oom Andries was spotted there,” said Wendy Pascoe, of Pascoe Investigations and Missing in Southern Africa.

“Hopes of finding him grew following a report that CCTV cameras may have captured him walking down Trichardts Road towards the Bokkie Park on the evening of August 8.

“Searches were again mobilised in the area. However, he was not found.”

Pascoe continued by saying that an extensive search was conducted of the open veld along Kingfisher Road, behind the Lifestyle Centre Sunward Park.

“The search included members of the SAPS K9 Unit, and the SAPS Search and Rescue helicopter would have been deployed this morning (August 12) in an effort to expand the search area, especially fields and open pieces of land.”

According to Marilli, a report was posted on the Boksburg 911 group stating that a body had been found at Bokkie Park.

“Emergency personnel, SAPS and private security were deployed to the scene. Once the body was removed from the waterway, it was confirmed to be that of Oom Andries,” he said.

“The cause of death has not yet been established, and investigations are ongoing.”

Pascoe said the tragic unfolding of events emphasised the need to safeguard the city’s elderly citizens.

“It is impossible to speculate about Oom Andries’ movements during these past ten days or what his mental state was. His death is heartbreaking,” she said.

“People suffering from degenerative diseases, such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, could either be wary or scared of people they perceive as strangers or be overly trusting and friendly.”

Her advice to others is that, should you see an elderly person who may appear to be lost, you should stay with them and immediately enlist the assistance of security companies or community security groups.

“Widespread awareness and education is also needed to better equip community members with the skills to assist those who at the time cannot speak for themselves,” Pascoe said.

“The use of tracking tags could assist greatly in giving real-time location updates, while enlisting the help of trained caregivers and possibly making the high-visibility vests or jackets part of vulnerable persons’ daily attire could go a long way in keeping these individuals safe.”

Marilli thanked private security, law enforcement, as well as committed members of the community for tirelessly searching for Oom Andries.

“This is not the outcome we had hoped for, but the outpouring of support and assistance showed Boksburg’s heart,” he said.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Oom Andries’ family.”

Efforts to make contact with Vermaak’s family were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

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