MANAS TSHUNGU STILL MISSING — URGENT SEARCH INTENSIFIES

Retired SABC journalist Manas Tshungu is yet to be found since he mysteriously went missing nine months ago. Tshungu, who had shown several signs of forgetfulness lately, disappeared from his home in Atteridgeville, South of Pretoria, without trace. He is 70-years-old.

Since Tshungu’s disappearance on June 23, 2025, family and friends have searched everywhere for him, to no avail. 

Tshungu’s wife, Monica, explained: "This is the longest he has gone." His disappearance was not preceded by chaos, she added. Though Tshungu took his mobile phone and wallet with, his phone has since gone silent and his bank account has not been tampered with. 

The family says Tshungu had of late been showing “signs of extreme forgetfulness” akin to dementia. Professionals have described it as “mental fog”, according to the family. Tshungu has a history of disappearing. “In the past he disappeared for a few days and returned,” says his wife, Monica. 

Tshungu turned 70 on February 27 this year whilst still absent. At his home, the celebration was understandably subdued. Ms Tshungu says she’s hopeful that her husband would one day walk through the door of their home and be reunited with his children and grandchild, who was a few months old when he disappeared. 

Ms Tshungu also made an impassioned plea to anyone who might be keeping her husband. "Please let him come home to his family," she says, her eyes teary. 

Tshungu worked for South Africa’s public broadcaster, the SABC, for over thirty years. He was first based in Parliament, Cape Town, before moving to the country’s capital, Pretoria. Tshungu was then appointed Provincial Editor in the North West province. His last position with the SABC was Provincial Editor in Limpopo, a post he occupied until his retirement in 2013.

The distraught Tshungu family is holding on to faith that their beloved husband, father and grand-pa will show up one of these days. The family is also holding on to their fond memories of Tshungu.

Almost every morning, says the family, Tshungu would start his wife's car to warm it up for her before she would leave for work.  And on refuse collection days, Tshungu would without fail ensure that the refuse bin is taken out.  

The couch he used to sit on while sipping his beer or coffee is empty, laments Ms Tshungu, whose family hasn't lost hope. "Every time there's a knock at the door or a car pulls up, our hopes are raised,” she says. To Tshungu’s community, he's a man better-known for his sense of humour, a person who cares about his community especially children. A father who never missed his children's school events, they say. 

Tshugu’s disappearance has been reported to the SA Police Services, and the search for the septuagenarian’s whereabouts continues.  

Anyone with information about Tshungu’s whereabouts is urged to contact:

Colonel Aletta Pratt: 079 891 4156

SAPS Branch Commander: 079 891 4196

Crime stop hotline: 08600 10111

Tshungu’s wife Monica: 082 531 0868.