MISSING

MISSING | RICHARD HAMMOND

TWO years without answers: Richard still missing 

Mooinooi – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mooinooi has issued an appeal to the community for assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 46-year-old Richard Hammond, who has been missing for more than two years. According to SAPS spokesperson colonel Adéle Myburgh, the police again released this information on 15 September 2025 as part of ongoing efforts to bring closure to Hammond’s family.

Hammond, who resided at a smallholding in Barnardsvlei, Mooinooi, left home during July 2023 to seek employment in Rustenburg and never returned. Despite extensive investigations and search efforts, his whereabouts remain unknown. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a navy-blue denim and a white shirt. Hammond is described as being about 1.85 metres tall, with a slim build, blue eyes, brown frizzy hair, and a short white moustache and beard.

Members of the public with any information can contact the Mooinooi Detectives unit, sergeant Brenda Metseleng on 065 515 7052 or sergeant Aaron Khunou on 076 565 8576. Alternatively, you can call your local police station or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be submitted via the MySAPS App.

MISSING | TANKISO MASHESHA

Where is Tankiso? 

Rustenburg – The Rustenburg police are urgently appealing to the public for assistance in locating 55-year-old Tankiso Mashesha, who has been missing since July this year. 

Tankiso, who resides at Waterberry in Protea Park, Rustenburg, was last seen on Friday, 25 July 2025, around 17:00, when his daughter greeted him at the Rustenburg taxi rank. He was travelling to Lesotho to attend a funeral. According to police spokesperson colonel Adéle Myburgh, Tankiso later phoned his daughter at 22:10 the same evening. He confirmed that he was in a taxi and even shared both the vehicle’s registration number and the driver’s contact details. The taxi driver claims to have dropped Tankiso off at the Maseru border post. However, investigations have since revealed that he never crossed into Lesotho.

Relatives in Lesotho confirmed that he never arrived home, despite extensive investigations and numerous leads being followed up. Sadly, all efforts to trace his movements after the border post have not yet brought answers. He is described as tall and slim, fair in complexion, bald, with black eyes, and a neatly kept short beard and moustache.

Police are urging anyone with information that may assist in locating him to contact investigating officer sergeant Amukelani Mashimbye on 082 772 9226 or 014 590 4258 (office hours). Alternatively, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or share anonymous tip-offs via the MySAPS App.

MISSING | Sibongile Precious Mahupela

Sibongile Still Missing

Rustenburg – The Rustenburg police are appealing to the public to assist in locating 19-year-old Sibongile Precious Mahupela, who has been missing for nearly a year. Sibongile, a resident of Dinnie Estate in Rustenburg, was last seen by her mother and sister on the morning of Tuesday, 17 October 2024, around 11:00. According to colonel Adéle Myburgh, new information suggests she was spotted in Heystek Street, Rustenburg CBD, during May 2025. She is described as having a brown complexion, black eyes, a tall and slim build, and short black hair. She also has a tattoo of the name “Thabang” on her right arm. The police urge anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forward. Sergeant Amukelani Mashimbye can be contacted on 082 772 9226 or 014 590 4258. Alternatively, residents can reach out to their nearest police station, call Crime Stop on 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS App. Tip-offs may remain anonymous.

MISSING | EBEN VAN DER VYVER

Have you seen Eben?

Rustenburg – The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Rustenburg has renewed its call, on 15 September 2025,  for community assistance in locating missing 38-year-old Eben van der Vyver
Eben, who lived on a smallholding in Rhenosterfontein along Rex Road, was last seen by his mother when she dropped him off at a church along the R104 on Wednesday, 13 December 2023. A month later, on 18 January 2024, his backpack was discovered at a friend’s farm in the Rustenburg area, but no further trace of him has been found.

Colonel Adéle Myburgh confirmed that extensive investigations and search operations have been conducted since his disappearance, but without success. 

At the time he went missing, Eben was tanned in complexion, has hazel eyes and brown-blond curly short hair. He was also wearing a self-made necklace of stone and beads, and on his left arm a self-made black stone armband with silver, black and white colours. Eben can further be identified by a Star of David tattoo on his left thigh, a scar on his left front finger, a dimple on his right cheek and a deep scar on his chin.

Police urge anyone who may have seen Eben, or who might have information about his whereabouts, to come forward. Community members can contact the investigating officer, sergeant Amukelani Mashimbye, on 082 772 9226, their nearest police station, or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Anonymous tip-offs can also be submitted via the MySAPS App.