The search for Machiel ‘Gielie’ du Toit, after he disappeared without a trace on Monday, January 6, has had a happy ending.

He was found alive shortly after 19:20 today, Friday January 10, on the Swadini road, by members of the neighbourhood watch.

“He was bewildered, confused and bitterly exhausted,” Gideon Engelbrecht, Du Toit’s cousin, told Lowvelder.

Du Toit was last seen on Sunday, January 5. He disappeared without a trace on Monday, January 6.

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A huge search was launched after his Mahindra bakkie was found abandoned about 1km from the Swadini resort.

“At this stage we still don’t know what the details are around his disappearance,” said Engelbrecht.

“He himself doesn’t know what happened. All we could get out of him is that he woke up at some point in the bush. He then started walking, looking for the way home. When he was found, he thought it was Wednesday. Two days of his life are lost to him.”

Engelbrecht said Du Tout showered and ate, and is now sleeping.

“Hopefully tomorrow we will have more clarity about what happened to him.”

Du Toit’s wife, Jacque, his three children, and the rest of the family have already been informed that has been found.

“We are driving back to Pretoria tomorrow and he will be reunited with his family,” said Engelbrecht.

Hordes of volunteers, the police, the K9 Unit, and the Hoedspruit Farm Watch had focused their search in the area of ​​the Swadini holiday resort and Jonkmanspruit.

“Thank you very much to everyone for their support and prayers. We thank God that he is safe,” Engelbrecht said.