SOUTH AFRICA: Search Ongoing for the Missing Catholic Priest

By Arnold Neliba

DURBAN, JUNE 24, 2022 (CISA)-A search for Fr Bheki Motloung Parish Priest at St Yves in Bergville who went missing two weeks ago is still underway.

Fr Motloung was last seen on June 5.

In a recent update by Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara (CMM), the SAPS Search and Rescue team in Bergville were out in the Bergville and Mooi River areas where they continued to search for the missing priest.

“Unfortunately the search was unsuccessful. As Christians, we must continue trusting in God’s providence,” he said noting that they have made every effort to locate him.

“Working with various public and private agencies, including Tracker and the South African Police Services, the Archdiocese continues to actively exhaust every option at its disposal to ensure his safe return. Police from Durban and our priests also went to Bergville to search for Fr Motloung,” he said.

Archbishop Jwara while also expressing solidarity with the family is asking anyone with information that could assist police with Motloung’s whereabouts to call Brigadier Thobelil Shezi on 082 633 2773/082 567 4163.

According to Brigadier Shazi, “What we have discovered is that there’s no tracker to trace the vehicle, but we are working with the cell phone and other gadgets to trace. So far, the SAPS is working day and night trying to find the missing Reverend.”