Missing Sodwana Bay skipper: The facts about the ‘person of interest’ taken in for questioning

The family of missing Sodwana Bay skipper John Matambu says the pain and anguish of not knowing whether he is hurt or safe is something no family should go through.

Johns Matambu went missing on Saturday, March 16.

The family at this point are so devastated and utterly shocked at what we are having to go through,” said Matambu’s niece Candice Eilertsen, speaking to the Zululand Observer on Wednesday.

Update: Arrest made in Sodwana Bay missing skipper case

“We are so thankful and appreciative of the incredible work the authorities are doing. The commitment and dedication to finding the person of interest, as well as Matambu is something we are incredibly grateful for.

“What is also absolutely inspiring is the hundreds of individuals who have taken time out of their past few days to actively search for Matambu and pass on any information they think could be relevant.

“Although the situation we are being forced to endure is terrible, it’s the little stories that bring out the best of humanity and give a ray of positivity in the situation.”

There was confusion on Wednesday afternoon after district police confirmed that the person of interest, whose photograph had been circulated, had been taken in for questioning.

It later emerged that, while a man had indeed been apprehended and taken to Manguzi for questioning, it was someone else.

Although known to the newspaper, his identity has not been made public.

At the forefront of the search, Matambu’s family encouraged continuous tips, leads and information.

“It is because of these that we have made such gains in the investigation,” said Eilertsen.

For the record (editorial comment):

On Wednesday morning, the Zululand Observer was informed that a person of interest had been taken into questioning at Mbazwana in connection with the missing ski-boat skipper.

We confirmed this, more than once, with SAPS communications officer Captain Hlabisa, who we were referred to by the provincial SAPS as the person we should contact.

We did, in fact, also receive a photo of the person taken into custody, which – along with his name – we did not publish, as he had not yet been formally charged in court.

That the person was later deemed to not have been the original person of interest being sought, was beyond our control.

We subsequently published an update that this was a different person, following verification from the police.

We abided by all the Press Code regulations concerning criminal reporting and only reported that a person had been detained for questioning after this was confirmed by a credible, official police source.

Timeline of events:

• Saturday, 16 March: After agreeing to take out the client, John Matambu was last heard from at 11.30, having reached the designated charter point.
• Saturday, 16 March: At 22:00, a report was received suggesting the boat may have been spotted as far north as Santa Maria on the Mozambique coastline.
• Saturday, 16 March: A man identified as a person of interest was seen making his way to Ponta Mamoli. He arrived at about 19:00 and spent the night in a hut in the local village; he sold two fishing rods in the village. He was reportedly travelling with two bags that he always kept on him.
• Sunday, 17 March: The person of interest caught a taxi through Zitundo to Maputo, arriving at about 15:30.
• Sunday, 17 March: A missing person’s case is opened by Matambu’s family at Mbazwana Police Station.
• Sunday, 17 March: The torched 21ft Yeld Cat Magnum Too was found beached near Ponta Dobela, Mozambique in the morning. The hull was burnt out, the unburnt T-top was a few metres away in the water, while the used medical kit was near the boat, also not burnt.
• Sunday, 17 March: Mbazwana Police Station opens a case of malicious damage to property after the recovery of the boat.
• Sunday, 17 March: A variety of agencies joined the search, including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, SAPS Search & Rescue, NSRI Station 19 (Richards Bay) and Station 40 (St Lucia), SAPS Seaborderline unit, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Hawks, as well as local community security companies, members of the public, and local resorts and lodges along the entire stretch of coastline in Sodwana Bay and further north.
• Tuesday, 19 March: Several leads mobilised numerous agencies across Mozambique and South Africa in the search for both Matambu and the person of interest.
• Wednesday, 20 March: Police launch appeal for person of interest, asking anyone knowing his whereabouts to contact Mbazwana Police Station.
• Wednesday, 20 March: A man is apprehended and taken to Manguzi for questioning but his identity is not revealed.