Search efforts are ongoing for missing Timothy van Asche after his vehicle was found submerged in the Hennops River, with authorities continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

According to National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Hartbeespoort Dam station commander Arthur Crewe, they received reports of a vehicle discovered in the Hennops River, on the border of Gauteng and North West Province at 09h48 on Monday.

“NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew, Hartbeespoort SRU, SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services, Hartbeespoort Law Enforcement and Tshwane emergency services water rescue unit, joined Police patrol officers on the scene, where a search commenced for any possible occupants of the vehicle.”

He said no signs of any persons were located in or around the vehicle during extensive search operations on Monday.

The owner of the vehicle is 36-year-old Timothy van Asche from Glenferness, Midrand.

Timothy was last seen on CCTV footage leaving his home in the same vehicle at 03h54, Monday morning, January 20.

The last contact that was made with Timothy was at 21h10 the previous night, Sunday evening.

Crewe said the vehicle in the Hennops River was recovered and taken into the care of police as part of ongoing investigations.

“NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew, Hartbeespoort SRU, Hartbeespoort Law Enforcement and Tshwane emergency services water rescue unit, are continuing to assist SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services, in ongoing search efforts at Hennops River, and surrounding areas while Police investigations continue.”

On Wednesday evening, he said there remains no sign of the missing Timothy van Asche. Police are leading ongoing search efforts.

Anyone with information that can assist in the case of missing Timothy van Asche should call Atteridgeville Police station 0123851101.

“Our thoughts are with the family of missing Timothy van Asche in this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, the NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew and Hartbeespoort SRU are also still searching for another man, a fisherman who went missing in the vicinity of the Oberon Resort, Hartbeespoort Dam.

“At 15h36, Sunday, 19 January, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam duty crew and Hartbeespoort SRU (Strategic Rescue Unit) were activated by the SA Police Services following reports of a fisherman missing in the vicinity of the Oberon Resort, Hartbeespoort Dam.

“The NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam rescue craft Sea Legs was launched, and NSRI joined the police in a search operation, during which the canoe of the local adult male fisherman was located and recovered in the area where the missing man was reported to have been fishing – on Hartbeespoort Dam.

Crewe said the SAPS Water Policing and Diving Services, assisted by NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam and by Hartbeespoort SRU, are continuing in ongoing search efforts for the missing fisherman.

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