Strydom on January 4 left his home, leaving his wife Anel, his job, bank cards and his driver's licence behind. Shortly after he went “off the grid” all indications were that he was in Knysna, as he had reportedly enquired from a Knysna hotel manager what the procedure was to obtain a permit to live on property run by SANParks.
At the time Anel said she was desperate for any news of her husband, who had “a history of depression”, was harmless and that she was worried for his safety.
On Friday, January 15, Nandi Mgwadlamba, spokesperson for SANParks, said their rangers had been placed on full alert and were on the lookout for him, which the Knysna-Plett Herald made public online in a second article about Strydom. Shortly after the article was posted, Strydom phoned Anel to inform her he was with a friend in George, which is where he went to after his stay in Knysna, he said.
Anel on Monday, January 18 thanked the Knysna residents for their help. “They are very considerate,” she said.
Read more in Thursday's George Herald, and online.
