A YOUNG Mthatha doctor feared kidnapped after disappearing four days ago was found dazed and barely able to walk in the city centre yesterday.
Vuyisa Matshaya, a 29-year-old doctor at Mthatha General Hospital’s psychiatry department, was reported missing to the police on Tuesday by his concerned adoptive father Tshepo Machaea.
Machaea, a well-known philanthropist and Eastern Cape Arrive Alive spokesman, yesterday said he was unaware of his adopted son’s disappearance until he was contacted on Monday night.
The young man had reportedly called a friend in Johannesburg on Saturday, saying: “Naba aba bantu, bayandithatha .”
A distraught Machaea, 49, said it was the last time anyone had heard from him. However, he was reunited with his son yesterday morning after a call from a pay phone vendor in Owen Street.
“He was dazed and unconscious when we found him just before 9am,” said a relieved Machaea, who believed his son had been drugged by his captors. His cellphone and house keys were missing when he was found yesterday.
“He was unable to speak or even recall what had happened or how he ended up where we found him,” said Machaea.
The popular traffic man said he and his family did not know why his son would have been targeted, describing Matshaya as a cheerful person in demand as a programme director at many events around Mthatha and a devout Christian who did not drink or smoke.
“Honestly, he is someone who is loved by everyone and is full of life and jokes. It still baffles me as to why he would be kidnapped.”
Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed a missing person case had been opened but could not say whether the case would be changed to kidnapping. The investigation was ongoing, he added.
Nondumiso Goniwe, 66, who runs the stall that Matshaya phoned from yesterday, said he had come staggering towards her shortly after 8am. He collapsed and then pulled out R5 for a pay phone. “He was not even able to dial properly, I had to help him. He was crying all the time saying that he had been abducted and kept against his will since Sunday.” Goniwe said Matshaya had no memory of how he ended up in Owen Street.
Matshaya was sent to Life St Mary’s Hospital from the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital. Machaea was overjoyed to receive the call that his son was safe. “I could not eat or sleep not knowing what they were doing to him.”
One of the doctor’s colleagues, Dr Jabulani Jeme, who has known him since their days at medical school in the early 2000s, said he noticed Matshaya was missing when he did not report for work on Monday. Matshaya stays in the doctors’ quarters in Fort Gale.
“I was devastated when I was told he was missing. We tried calling some of his friends but no one knew of his whereabouts. We are all happy that he is back alive.”
Jeme said Matshaya had cried uncontrollably on the way to hospital yesterday. He also reportedly reeked of alcohol.
“He told me on the way that those who had kept him had plied him with alcohol and lots of pills and tablets that he didn’t know.”
A close friend, Mandi Booi, said they were all worried when they could not locate him. “I last saw him at a shopping mall on August 2 and he was in full spirits.
“We thank God that He brought him safe back to us,” said Booi.
Eastern Cape department of health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said he was happy the doctor had been found.
“His disappearance was a big worry to us all. We will now await the outcome of the police investigation into this matter.” — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Dazed doctor tells of mystery kidnap
Vuyisa Matshaya, a 29-year-old doctor at Mthatha General Hospital’s psychiatry department, was reported missing to the police on Tuesday by his concerned adoptive father Tshepo Machaea.
Machaea, a well-known philanthropist and Eastern Cape Arrive Alive spokesman, yesterday said he was unaware of his adopted son’s disappearance until he was contacted on Monday night.
The young man had reportedly called a friend in Johannesburg on Saturday, saying: “Naba aba bantu, bayandithatha .”
A distraught Machaea, 49, said it was the last time anyone had heard from him. However, he was reunited with his son yesterday morning after a call from a pay phone vendor in Owen Street.
“He was dazed and unconscious when we found him just before 9am,” said a relieved Machaea, who believed his son had been drugged by his captors. His cellphone and house keys were missing when he was found yesterday.
“He was unable to speak or even recall what had happened or how he ended up where we found him,” said Machaea.
The popular traffic man said he and his family did not know why his son would have been targeted, describing Matshaya as a cheerful person in demand as a programme director at many events around Mthatha and a devout Christian who did not drink or smoke.
“Honestly, he is someone who is loved by everyone and is full of life and jokes. It still baffles me as to why he would be kidnapped.”
Mthatha police spokesman Lieutenant-Colonel Mzukisi Fatyela confirmed a missing person case had been opened but could not say whether the case would be changed to kidnapping. The investigation was ongoing, he added.
Nondumiso Goniwe, 66, who runs the stall that Matshaya phoned from yesterday, said he had come staggering towards her shortly after 8am. He collapsed and then pulled out R5 for a pay phone. “He was not even able to dial properly, I had to help him. He was crying all the time saying that he had been abducted and kept against his will since Sunday.” Goniwe said Matshaya had no memory of how he ended up in Owen Street.
Matshaya was sent to Life St Mary’s Hospital from the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital. Machaea was overjoyed to receive the call that his son was safe. “I could not eat or sleep not knowing what they were doing to him.”
One of the doctor’s colleagues, Dr Jabulani Jeme, who has known him since their days at medical school in the early 2000s, said he noticed Matshaya was missing when he did not report for work on Monday. Matshaya stays in the doctors’ quarters in Fort Gale.
“I was devastated when I was told he was missing. We tried calling some of his friends but no one knew of his whereabouts. We are all happy that he is back alive.”
Jeme said Matshaya had cried uncontrollably on the way to hospital yesterday. He also reportedly reeked of alcohol.
“He told me on the way that those who had kept him had plied him with alcohol and lots of pills and tablets that he didn’t know.”
A close friend, Mandi Booi, said they were all worried when they could not locate him. “I last saw him at a shopping mall on August 2 and he was in full spirits.
“We thank God that He brought him safe back to us,” said Booi.
Eastern Cape department of health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said he was happy the doctor had been found.
“His disappearance was a big worry to us all. We will now await the outcome of the police investigation into this matter.” — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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