“Search Begins for Missing South African Boat Captain”

CNTLIVE AUDIO

"Search Begins for Missing South African Boat Captain"

Play Episode Pause Episode

Mute/Unmute Episode Rewind 10 Seconds 1x Fast Forward 30 seconds

00:00 / 2:12

Acast YouTube

RSS Feed

Share

Link

Embed

South African authorities are expressing concerns over possible foul play in the case of a missing charter boat captain, as his vessel was found burned and abandoned on a beach in neighboring Mozambique, with no trace of him or the unknown man who chartered the boat.

The National Sea Rescue Institute raised the alarm after captain John Matambu and his passenger failed to return to Sodwana Bay on South Africa’s northeastern coast on Saturday evening, despite having departed early that morning.

The burnt wreckage of Matambu’s speedboat, Magnum Too, was located by a search plane on Sunday in the Dobela area of Mozambique, approximately 170 kilometers (105 miles) up the coast.

“Both men remain missing in unknown circumstances,” stated the National Sea Rescue Institute.

Matambu’s cousin informed local media that a petrol canister and a medical kit were discovered near the boat.

According to NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon, certain aspects of the situation “indicate that foul play may be involved.” The individual who hired Matambu provided false contact information, Lambinon explained. The booking was made for a man, his wife, and a child, yet only the man boarded the boat.

“While we hope this is simply a misunderstanding and not the result of foul play, all possibilities are being investigated at this stage,” Lambinon report. “The fact that the boat was found across the border complicates matters.”

The NSRI received a report that the boat was seen heading north toward Mozambican waters at 10 p.m. on Saturday, the last sighting before its charred remains were discovered the following day.

The Police Sea Borderline Control agency and the Police Search and Rescue unit are collaborating in the search efforts. Authorities described Matambu as a well-known, experienced, and respected boat captain in Sodwana Bay.