WELKOM – A second man has been reported missing in Welkom, five days after 55-year-old teacher Gert Adams disappeared under suspicious circumstances, prompting police to appeal to the public for assistance in locating both men.

Welkom Police are searching for Vusumzi Mathiso (41), who was last seen in the Welkom central business district (CBD) on Friday afternoon, 9 October. According to police, no one has seen or heard from him since his disappearance.

Efforts to locate Mathiso have so far been unsuccessful, and a missing person’s file has been opened for further investigation. It is not known what he was wearing when he was last seen.

Anyone with information about Mathiso’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Welkom Police on 079 886 5574.

Meanwhile, the search continues for Adams, whose disappearance is being investigated by the Welkom Serious and Violent Crimes (SVC) unit as a case of alleged carjacking and kidnapping.

According to police, Adams was allegedly taken by unknown suspects at approximately 23:30 on Sunday, 4 October. He reportedly managed to telephone his wife before the call was abruptly terminated. He was subsequently reported missing.

His grey Hyundai ix35 was found and retrieved from Klippan in Welkom on Tuesday, 6 October. The vehicle was unoccupied, but his cellphone and other personal belongings were discovered inside.

Adams was last seen wearing blue tracksuit pants, a black jacket and sneakers. His whereabouts remain unknown, and the motive behind the alleged kidnapping has not been established.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have information that could assist in locating Adams or identifying the suspected perpetrators to come forward.

Anyone with information about Adams’s disappearance can contact Detective Sergeant Tsie Matlokotsi of the Welkom SVC unit on 078 758 5658.

Information can also be reported anonymously to Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or submitted through the MySAPS app.

Police have assured the public that all information received will be treated with strict confidentiality. Both investigations remain ongoing.

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