R200 000 for info on missing man

Every possible lead is being followed in the hopes of finding Willem Kruger, pictured, who disappeared en route to Groblersdal, Mpumalanga, more than one week ago.

Phil Vermeulen, a specialist investigator at PI Mike Bolhuis, told Middelburg Observer he and his team were in contact with all farmers along the Vaal River to be on the lookout for Kruger’s white Toyota Hilux Dakar.

“All security cameras on all routes are also being checked regularly,” Vermeulen said.

Kruger, the son of well-known farmer in the region Tiaan Kruger, went missing on 13 November from Henbase Lodge, where he attended a friend’s bachelor party.

Reports indicate he left the lodge in Morgenzon in the early hours of the morning. This despite reports he would have slept over at the lodge.

It was also reported that CCTV cameras at the lodge showed Kruger driving in, but not departing.

This past weekend, it was speculated that he may have landed in the Vaal River after crossing a low-lying bridge, which serves as one of the lodge’s entrances.

One of the coordinators of Kruger’s search, Marile Nieuwoudt, told Middelburg Observer last week those who attended the party crossed the bridge. “At night, it can look as though you should continue straight, but there is a sharp left turn,” she explained.

When Kruger disappeared, it was raining, which could have made it difficult to make out the bridge. He also reportedly tried to call one of his friends attending the party around 1am but the calls went unanswered, as the phone was reportedly on silent.

There was initially a R50 000 reward for information on his whereabouts, which was quickly increased to R200 000.

Since his disappearance, tips from across the country, from the Cape to the Lowveld, have streamed in that his bakkie was spotted but, so far, nothing has checked out.

R50k was the original reward offered for information on Willem Kruger.