A 53-year-old pastor who left home to go fishing has disappeared without a trace, leaving his family and congregation desperate for answers.
The South African Police Service in Ritavi in Limpopo is searching for Thabo Caiphus Malatji, who went missing on Tuesday, 27 January 2026 at about 7pm.
Malatji reportedly left his wife asleep at their Mokgoloboto village home, intending to go fishing. But this time, he never came back.
"Preliminary investigations indicated that the victim usually comes back from fishing after three days," said police spokesman Warrant Officer Marobo Seabela.
In a puzzling twist, a member of his congregation allegedly told the pastor's wife that he had gone to the mountains to pray for 21 days.
"She waited patiently for that period, but he never returned home until she decided to report him missing at the local police station," Seabela said.
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Weeks later, there's still no trace of the missing pastor.
"There's currently no clear description of the clothes he was wearing at the time of his disappearance," Seabela added.
Police have urged members of the public to come forward with any information that could help trace Malatji's whereabouts.
"Anyone with information that can assist in locating Thabo Caiphus Malatji should immediately contact the investigating officer or the nearest police station," Seabela appealed.
