– Edited by Bev Mortimer
The missing boat MAGNUM TOO, belonging to John Matambu was found today, 17 March wrecked and completely burnt out and beached off the Mozambique coastline earlier today but there are no signs of the skipper John Matambu or the person who chartered the boat .
The NSRI said late afternoon today, 17 March, that the search for the missing pair is continuing, though their whereabouts are unknown – despite an extensive search from many search parties, including the NSRI and a fixed wing aircraft.
“Police and Law Enforcement, Security agencies and maritime authorities are continuing in an extensive search and investigations to try to locate the missing pair and to find out what happened ,” the NSRI said. “It remains unknown what has happened that led to the vessel beaching and completely burnt out.
“We are appealing to anyone with information that can assist Police in this search to contact Police on 10111 and or NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) 0870949774.”
According to a Crimewatch report on WA Matambu had been staying in Sodwana and was seen around a few days before his disappearance in Sodwana. He did not check out of the place he was staying at. This afternoon the medical kit from the boat was found, having been used but the kit was not burnt.
The Magnum was chartered go quite far up the coast towards Mozambique and Matambu was last heard from at 11:30 am yesterday, 16 March, when he reached the designated charter point. Thereafter contact with him was lost.
The NSRI says the wrecked and burnt boat was found in the vicinity of Dobela on the Mozambique coastline this morning. “Law Enforcement agencies response team are on site investigating. Both men remain missing in unknown circumstances.”
The NSRI says thoughts are with the family and colleagues of John Matambu in this difficult time.
An earlier report by NSRI yesterday quoting Norman Rautenbach, NSRI Richards Bay Station 19, and Station 40, St Lucia, deputy station commander, said the volunteer duty crew at NSRI Richards Bay were alerted yesterday to concerns of a charter vessel ski boat “MAGNUM TOO” a 21 foot Yeld Cat ski-boat, missing at sea in uncertain circumstances and it appeared “foul play may be involved”.
It was thought MAGNUM TOO may have departed Sodwana Bay during the early morning Saturday, 16 March. NSRI Richards Bay duty crew and NSRI St Lucia duty crew were activated. The SA Police Services Police Sea Borderline Control, Police Search and Rescue, TNPA (Transnet National Ports Authority), MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the private fixed wing aircraft were involved in the search. Plus Ezemvelo KZN Wild Life, local community security companies, local public members, local resorts and lodges, along that entire stretch of coastline were contacted and involved in the search or lookout for the missing pair in the area of Sodwana Bay and North of Sodwana Bay.
But the NSRI said there were no signs of the ski-boat MAGNUM TOO with local competent skipper John Matambu onboard and any passenger. A missing persons report was opened at MBAZWANA Police station.
The NSRI said the ski-boat was expected to return to Sodwana Bay on Saturday afternoon and that there were concerns about Matambu and his passenger/s safety. At 10 pm last night, a report said the ski-boat may have been spotted as far North as Santa Maria across to the Mozambique coastline.
“Telkom Maritime Radio Services broadcast a marine radio all ships alert for vessels along the Northern Coastline of KZN (Eat Coast – Indian Ocean), and beyond the South African Eastern coastline border, to be on the look out and to report any sightings of ski-boat MAGNUM TOO<” the NSR said yesterday , adding: “It is not normal for this well known and respected local skipper to fail to report in and/or to return to Sodwana.”
During last night (Saturday night) local community and coast watchers kept an eye out for any red distress flares or any sighting of the missing ski-boat.
- See photos: https://www.facebook.com/stfranchronicle
