The search operation continues for 40-year-old missing truck driver Poovin Narainsamy from Ormford, Phoenix in Durban, who went missing on 11 May in the midst of a devastating wind and rainstorm that hit the Western Cape two weeks ago.

According to Capt FC van Wyk, a police spokesperson, Narainsamy’s Scania R580 truck left the road on the R43 near Witbrug, Wolseley, and plunged into water next to the road. He says the truck driver’s whereabouts have been unknown ever since but the search operation continues.

According to Van Wyk nearby towns’ hospitals including Worcester Provincial Hospital, Worcester Medi-Clinic, Lapa Munnik, Porterville, Paarl and also Tygerberg Hospital were contacted to enquire about the missing person’s whereabouts but without success.

He says the wreckage of the truck has been recovered. According to him the police diving unit, Emergency Medical Services and Wolseley Police were involved in the search for the missing truck driver.

Search and rescue teams continue to actively comb the riverbanks, farming sectors, and debris fields around Wolseley and Ceres.

Narainsamy was transporting a load of sugar to Cape Town when the tragic incident occurred.

Family members and authorities have strongly urged the public to stop spreading unverified social media claims. Multiple online posts falsely claimed that Narainsamy had been found alive with minor injuries at a hospital in Ceres. His wife, Roma Narainsamy, explicitly confirmed that these reports are untrue and have caused additional emotional distress to the family as they continue to look for closure, reports news outlets.

Meanwhile the search for missing 29-year-old Michael Waltman from Kuilsriver also continues. Waltman has been missing since 5 May after he checked in at the Du Kloof Lodge near Worcester. His mother, Alex, earlier told NovaNews that he wanted to tackle a hiking route. He hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

Van Wyk says: “During the initial stages of the search, we mobilised all available and extra resources and personnel who were deployed to trace him, but without success.”

He says all leads and information were pursued as it became available necessitating the deployment of specialised units such as the Provincial Drone Unit, the police K9 rescue dogs, Crime Prevention Unit, Crime Information and Analysis Centre (CIMAC), Department of Health Drone Unit and Cape Nature.

“The search is therefore ongoing and we do appeal to anyone with information to contact Crime Stop at 086 001 0111 or to share information through our mobile application MySAPS.

“This office will issue an official statement if there are any new developments.”

Michael’s mother, Alex, declined to speak to Nova News on Monday and says she will inform the media of any further updates.