Flooded river hampers rescue efforts as trio still missing
Cellphone 'pings' traced by police indicate that the trio and their vehicle was near the Malonjeni area, shortly before the river crossing at Landman's Drift.
The flooded Sand River foiled attempts by police divers and dogs from Newcastle, Ladysmith and Pietermaritzburg to fully scour the river for signs of a husband, wife and a friend who have been missing since Friday evening.
Warrant Officer Anu ‘Jakes’ Juggan, Molly Juggan and friend, Ashok Rajoo, apparently left Ashok’s Peacevale home on Friday,at around 7.pm, and it is believed Jakes, who runs the Dundee SAPS Farm Watch, may have gone on a drive to check farms in the area or on the state of the rivers.
Cellphone ‘pings’ traced by police indicate that the trio and their vehicle was near the Malonjeni area, shortly before the river crossing at Landman’s Drift.
Warrant Officer Juggan, a keen fisherman, knows the district intimately. Thoughts are turning to a theory that his vehicle may have come into difficulties and washed away.
Warrant Officer Carl Gouws of the Pietermaritzburg Search and Rescue Unit and his dog
In true Dundee style, volunteers, family members and friends all joined the search on Saturday and Sunday for any signs of the Nissan Navara police van or the three people. On Saturday, pilot, Tom Honiball, and friend, Shaughn Lake, voluntary flew at low altitude and at low speed in a Bushcat aircraft to scour the area around Tayside.
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Still no trace of missing trio
Police divers were attempting to check the river again but continual rain is causing the water around Landman’s Drift to dam up before the downstream confluence with the Buffalo River. Anyone with information the three missing people are urged to contact the nearest police station.
Our thought and prayers are with the family.
