MISSING AT SEA

Family and friends are trying to make sense of the mysterious disappearance of skipper John Matambu, fondly known as the legend of Sodwana

- NICI DE WET & PECULIA MUSHWANA

TO THOSE in and around the seaside town of Sodwana Bay he’s a legend – a guy loved by all, whose knowledge of the ocean is unrivalled and whose blue eyes match the sea he loves so much.

But no one knows if John Matambu will return to the KwaZulu-Natal town where he owns and operates a deep-sea fishing charter company – or when and even if the truth about what happened will ever be revealed.

The mysterious case of the 68-year-old skipper made headlines around the world after he vanished while on a charter with a passenger on Saturday 16 March.

A day later, following an extensive search that included the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), his burnt-out boat was found beached on the coastline of Mozambique.

But at the time of going to print there was no sign of John or the man who hired him. Authorities suspect foul play may have been involved as the passenger who chartered the boat allegedly gave false contact details.

KZN police have declared him a “person of interest” in the investigation into John’s disappearance and his photo has been circulated online. Law enforcement officials began their hunt for the man in Sodwana Bay. Interpol and the police attaché in Mozambique have also been called on to help track him down.

John’s family are grateful to everyone rallying behind them, including members of the NSRI and the Sodwana boating and fishing community who joined the search for the missing skipper.

“The pain of not knowing where someone you love is, wondering if they are hurt, is unbelievably hard,” says Candice Eilertsen (36), John’s niece and the family spokesperson.

“We miss him terribly and love him unconditionally. We just want him home.”