Former Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana star midfielder Thando Mngomeni’s family has sounded the alarm, confirming he has been missing for over a month. The much-loved football figure vanished in mid-June, and no one close to him has seen or heard from him since.
Mngomeni’s sister, Pat Maki, expressed the family’s rising distress, revealing that not even those who typically know his whereabouts have a clue about his current location.
“I’m Thando’s older sister, and as a family, we are deeply concerned because no one knows where he is, we’re all looking for him. Even those close to him, who would usually know his whereabouts, have no idea where he is,” she said, as quoted by Soccer Laduma.
Last sighting and missing timeline raises concerns
According to Maki, her last interaction with Thando took place on 16 June, a public holiday when they spent time together. She last saw him at their home in Gugulethu around 17 or 18 June, waiting for a friend named Musa to pick him up.
“I last spoke to him on June 16, which was a public holiday, and we were together. I last saw him a day or two later. He was waiting for his friend Musa to come and pick him up.”
But Musa has reportedly told the family he also hasn’t seen Thando since that day. He said the two of them left together with Thando’s girlfriend, who might be the last person to see him.
Girlfriend’s statements on old Sundowns player
The family has struggled to trace any reliable leads, and conflicting accounts surrounding Thando’s girlfriend have only intensified their worry. Maki said the girlfriend becomes defensive when asked about Thando’s location, refusing to answer their questions.
“A guy we spoke to said he saw Thando and his girlfriend coming out of a B&B, and that Thando told him they were heading to Johannesburg. But when we spoke to the girlfriend, she claims she doesn’t know where he is. She gets upset and doesn’t want to be questioned about him.”
Efforts by Thando’s older brother Thabo to contact her have proven fruitless, as she reportedly denied making any statements about his whereabouts.
Suspicious voice note offers no comfort
The family also received a mysterious voice note claiming Thando is alive and well but does not want to reveal his location. However, they remain sceptical, as they have no idea who recorded it or whether it’s trustworthy.
“There’s also a voice note going around saying Thando is fine and that we shouldn’t worry, but he doesn’t want anyone to know where he is. All we’re asking is that he at least says something to confirm that he’s safe.”
Public urged to assist to find former Sundowns star
With rumours placing Thando in areas such as Khayelitsha and other unnamed locations, the Mngomeni family continues their desperate search. Clinging to hope and urging anyone with information to come forward.
If you have any leads regarding the former Mamelodi Sundowns star Mngomeni’s whereabouts, please contact the family or local authorities immediately. Every detail could bring them one step closer to finding him.
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