[imagesource:nsri]

A frantic search was launched this weekend for a missing ski boat, its skipper and passengers off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

The charter boat, captained by a KwaZulu-Natal skipper, went missing at sea close to the Mozambican border, with authorities now confirming that the skip was found “wrecked and burnt” near the Mozambique coastline.

NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said the 21-foot Yeld Cat ski-boat – ‘MAGNUM TOO’ – was found in the vicinity of Dobela on Sunday morning.

“Law enforcement agencies’ response teams are on site investigating. There remain no signs of the skipper, John Matambu, or an unidentified man who reportedly chartered the fishing vessel,” he said.

The chartered vessel, Matambu and his passenger are believed to have departed Sodwana Bay in northern KZN early on Saturday morning with an expected return to Sodwana Bay on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, Lambinon said the real concern was the possibility of foul play – and that they were worried about the safety of Matambu and his passenger.

It is not normal for this well-known and respected local skipper to fail to report in and/or to return to Sodwana. It appears that the individual(s), who chartered the boat, may have provided false information as to their identity – after arriving in the Sodwana Bay area, reportedly, on a motorbike.

Lambinon said it was unclear as to what happened that led to the vessel beaching and found to be completely burnt.

“Police and law enforcement, security agencies and maritime authorities are continuing in an extensive search and investigations to try to locate the two missing men, and to piece together what has transpired.”

The SAPS Police Sea Borderline Control, Police Search and Rescue, Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, local community security companies, and local resorts and lodges along that stretch of coastline were assisting in gathering information, conducting investigations and conducting search efforts.

[source:news24]