Update
GEORGE NEWS - Large areas were covered in the search for missing Working for Water employee Thembakaya Rhamba (35) last week.
Rhamba went missing on Tuesday 30 January, when he and two colleagues, Nico Frans and Arrie Fortuin, went into the mountain to remove alien vegetation on Cradock Peak.
When the weather turned bad they decided to return, but lost their way in the mountain due to the thick fog. Frans and Fortuin were found the following day, but Rhamba is still missing.
According to George Police's communications officer, Sergeant Michael Opperman, an extensive search was performed in an attempt to find the missing Rhamba.
The Skymed helicopter assisted the search party from the sky, covering impassable areas.
Members of the police with search and rescue dogs from Knysna and George covered the area next to the river.
The 4x4 trails in the plantation were also searched.
Ground teams continued the search at the foot of the mountain with volunteers, hikers, personnel from Cape Nature Conservation, Working on Fire, police and firefighters.
Other role players that assisted in the search include George and Eden firefighters, Hikers Network, Wildlife Fire, Working on Fire high altitude team, Lions Response team and Firstcare Wild Fire.
After three days, the search had not yielded anything and was placed on hold pending a police investigation.
According to the head of Metro rescue services, Richard Botha, they had covered all the areas where Rhamba could possibly be.
The police investigation continues and emergency services can be activated at any stage.
"We are relying on the hikers and mountain bikers to be our eyes and ears in the mountain at this stage," said Botha.
Read previous articles:
- Search for missing man placed on hold
- Update: Search for missing man
- Search for missing man continues
- 1 Stil missing near Cradock Peak
ARTICLE: KRISTY KOLBERG, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
More information to follow as it becomes available.
