Members of the public have been asked to help identify an elderly man who arrived at a home in Junipar Road, Trenance Park, Phoenix over the weekend.
Residents in the area said the man, arrived there and told them he was going “home” but walked into the dense bush, where he has been living since.
“We do not know this man and he is not from our area. He insists he wants to stay in the bush and does not even want to accept any assistance from us. He has no warm blankets and no food. We don’t know how he is managing. He has refused everything we have sent to him and offered him. We are very worried about and hope someone can identify him and take him back,” said resident Thulani Mchunu.
Out of concern, the residents have enlisted the help of the local security company Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA), who cut through wire fence and entered the dense bush area to locate the man.
RUSA’s Prem Balram said his officers managed to locate him and interviewed him but it appeared that the man was mentally ill.
“He stated that his name is Sphiwe Mzimande and that he resides in Lamontville. He was unable to provide any further information. We suspect he may have wandered off from his family and cannot remember his address or contact details for his family,” said Mr Balram.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) on 086 1234 333 or the Phoenix police station.
Phoenix police said there was no missing person report that matched Mr Mzimande’s description.
