UPDATE: Family desperately searches for missing Kimberley hospital patient

THE FAMILY of 55-year-old Elias Lumkwana from Colesberg is urgently searching for him after he went missing from the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley on March 4.

His brother, Zanoxolo Ngalimani, revealed that Lumkwana had travelled from Manne Dipico Hospital in Colesberg to Kimberley for a urology consultation and was last seen between 3pm and 4pm.

“Patients who travelled with him informed us on March 5 that they last saw him leaving the hospital gates the previous day to get himself some food,” said Ngalimani.

"He is not in good health and is not able to walk far distances. He experiences seizures and easily becomes angry and annoyed.

“He does not suffer from a mental illness but does experience occasional memory loss.”

He added that Lumkwana, also known as Khosi or Makhosonke, was last seen wearing jeans, a navy Adidas tracksuit top, white Adidas sneakers, and a black Adidas cap.

"We plead with anyone who may have seen him to contact Philla on 076 938 5323, Shumi on 064 968 1225 or Naledi, who is based in Kimberley, on 060 404 1890. He does not suffer from a mental illness but does experience occasional memory loss," said Ngalimani. 

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Sergio Kock confirmed that the Kimberley SAPS Serious and Violent Crimes unit is investigating the case and urges anyone with information to contact Detective Sergeant Moagi Mokatsane at 083 314 3855, SAPS Crime Stop at 08600 10111, or use the MySAPS app.

"Lumkwana is originally from Colesberg and was admitted to the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in Kimberley on March 4. A family member went to visit the following day but could not find him at the hospital and reported him missing on March 6 at the Kimberley police station," said Kock.

He reminded the public that there is no waiting period to report a missing person.

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