Time is running out for detectives who might soon have to shelve their dockets on two German nationals who went missing in Gqeberha.
By mid-year (In June/July) it will be six months since 45-year-old Sylvia Wittal and 56-year-old Carsten Jocksch have disappeared without a trace.
Both their vehicles were found abandoned, but besides those similarities, their cases cannot be more different.
Wittal last had contact with the father of her children on the 30th of December and was officially reported missing on the 2nd of January 2022. Her Kia Picanto was found abandoned in Sacramento in Schoenmakerskop suggesting that she might have gone for a walk along the trail.
Wittal, who seemingly wanted her family to think she had plans to go to St Francis Bay, left her phone at home and police confirmed that there had been no activity on her bank cards since her disappearance.
Later in January, seasoned Detective -Constable Ridwaan Baatjies was brought on board to breathe new life into the investigation.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says several searches conducted by police and the communities in and around the area yielded no positive results, while extensive interviews were held with most of her acquaintances and her bank accounts were monitored.
A Facebook page was soon set up with a few thousand followers focused on finding Wittal but as the speculations, theories and leads dried up the Admin of the page paused the group on the 16th of April.
Although a missing person’s report is currently being investigated, police have not ruled out suicide or foul play.
Carsten Jocksch, however, went missing a month later in February.
He lived with a friend in Theescombe and had no family members in South Africa.
He loaded his bicycle onto his grey Mercedes Benz Sprinter, telling his friend that he was going cycling in the mountains.
His vehicle was found abandoned two weeks later.
Colonel Naidu says his bicycle is still missing and he could have cycled in any direction of the very vast area.
She says police and the K9 unit searched on foot while a helicopter was also used, but with no success.
Jocksch, however, had switched off his phone and was in possession of his licensed 9mm Glock firearm.
There was also no activity on his personal bank accounts.
Colonel Naidu says when an investigation produces no leads within six months, the docket will be put away until new information comes to light.
She urged any person with information, even if they think it is insignificant, to come forward as it could break the case.
Naidu says if a missing person cannot be traced, the docket may be closed, however, the file is brought forward every six months and must be re-opened for further investigation until the person is traced.
Although it could become a so-called cold case, a docket will never be closed until the missing person is traced or the forensically proven remains of the person are found.
If you have any information that might assist police in their investigation into the disappearance of Sylvia Wittal you can contact D/Const Baatjies on 073 130 3018.
For Carsten Jocksch you can contact Detective/Warrant/Officer Bertus Blom on 082 442 1017.
