The family of 53-year-old Timothy Mandla Hlongwane is living through a nightmare after the missing uncle vanished under suspicious circumstances. The well-known Duduza resident had told his daughter he would be away briefly, but what started as a short, unexplained trip has now escalated into a disturbing case involving impersonation, manipulation, and growing fears that he may be in danger.

According to relatives, Mr. Hlongwane has been missing since Friday, the 25th of July, after he told his daughter that he would be away for the weekend. He didn’t say where he was going or who he was meeting, only that he would return by Sunday. That was the last time his family saw him in person.

A Mysterious Call and Sudden Departure

The chain of events began on Friday, when the missing uncle received a phone call while he was spending time with his daughter. Witnesses say he rushed to the bedroom to take the call privately. When he returned, he simply said he would be travelling the next day.

“He didn’t give any details, not even a location or the name of the person he was going to see,” said a concerned family member.

On Sunday night, the missing uncle contacted his daughter again, telling her that his return would be delayed and that he would only be back on Friday, 1 August 2025. The message seemed vague, but not alarming—until things took a darker turn.

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Strange Instructions and Suspicious Voices

On Wednesday, his daughter received another call—this time from her father’s phone. But the request was unusual. The voice on the line asked her to bring all of Mr. Hlongwane’s bank cards and his ID to Ruth Mall in Pretoria.

“She was already in a taxi when her mother got another call from the same number. That’s when she realised something was very wrong,” the family said.

Both the daughter and the mother are convinced that the man on the phone wasn’t Mr. Hlongwane. The voice, tone, and way of speaking were different. It became clear that someone had been impersonating him since Sunday, raising fears of abduction, fraud, or worse.

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Mr Hlongwane Was Last Seen Wearing:

• Black jeans
• Black zip-up jacket
• Black sneakers
• A backpack

Mr. Hlongwane is described as tall and light in complexion, a well-known figure in Comrade Street, Duduza, where he has lived for many years.

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Missing Uncle in Pretoria Case Reported—But No Updates

The family reported the case at the Duduza Police Station, and an official case number has been opened. However, they say there has been no progress, no follow-up, and no updates from the police since the report was filed.

“We’re doing everything on our own. Going to Pretoria, calling his phone, asking around, begging anyone who saw our missing uncle or heard anything. But it’s like he vanished into thin air,” said his niece, who contacted Missing Person South Africa for help in spreading the word.

Public Urged to Help Spread the Alert

The Hlongwane family is urging the public to help locate their missing uncle in Pretoria by sharing his photo, description, and story as widely as possible.

“If anyone has seen a man matching his description, or has any information about someone trying to use his ID or bank cards, please come forward. This is not just a case of someone choosing to disappear. Something is wrong,” the family said.

They are especially concerned that whoever is pretending to be their missing uncle may be using his identity for criminal purposes.

Contact Information:

Anyone with information is asked to urgently contact:
📞 Duduza Police Station
📞 Whatsapp Missing Person South Africa – 071 204 4588