THE family of Solomon Mmopane (32) in Dirtig, Hammanskraal, has sleepless nights.
This comes after their loved one disappeared a week ago.
On Friday 23 February, the residents searched for Solomon together with the police in Bosplaas and discovered a burnt-out vehicle in the bushes, which is believed to be that of the missing man.
Asnath Mmopane (35), the missing man's sister, said they last saw Solomon on Thursday, 15 February when he left with his girlfriend.
"We assumed they were going to Maubane where the girlfriend lives, but we were surprised when he didn’t return home. On Saturday 17 February, we learnt that he was out with his cousin and they were apparently attacked by some men in Carousel View. Later, the cousin's mum called us to find out if Solomon had made it home safely as her son came home with some scars. After that call, we started getting worried as he was nowhere to be found.
"The cousin said the trouble started when Solomon was looking for his car keys and the group of people he was with were pointing fingers at each other as to who had the keys, which led to an argument. We don’t know what really happened, but we just want to find him because we can’t sleep at night," Asnath said.
Asnath said that it is not easy for them as siblings not knowing where one of them is and that it becomes difficult at night when they have to go to sleep.
His aunt Junior Mmopane (58) said Solomon was a good person who wouldn’t even hurt a fly.
"We just want to find him and pray that he's still alive wherever he is. The fact that he is missing has really worried us as a family and we pray to God to spare his life for our sake," he said.
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Chairman of the Dirtig community policing forum (CPF), Sello Dire, said the disappearance of people in the area is a headache for residents.
He said they started searching for Solomon on Tuesday, 20 February after they realised he had not returned home.
"We then made arrangements with the police to organise more people and for them to bring horses and dogs so we could try and find something. We started at Carousel View, where he was last seen, and travelled all the way to Maubane. Unfortunately, we didn’t find anything," he said.
Dire said police then received a tip-off that a car was found in the bushes in Bosplaas, but the vehicle was burnt out and there was no engine.
He said that on Tuesday, 20 February, the body of a man reported missing was found in his car with his hands tied in the Moratele River.
Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda Funani said a missing persons case has been reported at the Makapanstad Police Station and investigations are underway.
