Pretoria Man Vanishes After Work — Car Found Locked in Diepsloot, But No Sign of Him

On the evening of 10 April 2025, 33-year-old Eric Jones disappeared without a trace after leaving work in Pretorius Park, Pretoria East. Dressed in navy blue golf pants, a crisp white golf shirt, and a white golf cap, Eric was last seen around 5PM — but that would be the last time anyone laid eyes on him.

Just hours later, his vehicle was discovered abandoned in Diepsloot, Johannesburg, a staggering 50km away. The car was still locked and untouched. His personal belongings, including his wallet and phone, were all inside. Yet Eric was gone.

Jones is described as 1.75m tall, weighing around 75kg, with blue eyes and brown hair. He had no medical conditions, no known enemies, and no reason to disappear voluntarily, according to friends and family.

“This is completely out of character,” says a close relative. “Eric is reliable, responsible, and deeply loved by everyone who knows him. Something is very wrong here.”

Was Jones Hijacked?

The location of the recovered vehicle — Diepsloot, a known hotspot for hijackings and violent crime — has authorities concerned. Investigators suspect that Eric may have been the victim of a hijacking, though they are not ruling out other possibilities.

According to CrimeStats SA, Gauteng province has recorded over 10,000 hijackings in the past year, with many victims later reported missing. Security analyst Thando Dlamini says: “The fact that the car was found locked with everything inside suggests that Eric may have been forcibly removed from the vehicle before it was abandoned.”

The Pretoria and Diepsloot communities are shaken. Local search teams, police officers, and volunteers have begun combing the area, but as of now, there are no confirmed sightings of Eric.

His phone has been off since the night he vanished, and his family fears the worst. A missing person’s case has been opened — case number to follow — and police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

You Might Hold the Missing Piece

Eric could be anyone’s brother, son, or friend. His disappearance is not just a personal tragedy — it’s a chilling reminder of how quickly life can change. If you saw anything suspicious on 10 April in Pretorius Park or Diepsloot, or if you have any information that could lead to Eric’s safe return, please call:
072 690 0257 — even the smallest detail could make all the difference.

What would you do if this was your loved one?
Share Eric’s story. Help bring him home.