Family's heartbreak deepens as Japhta Julius remains missing after 5 years
Japhta Julius remains missing after five years.
Image: Supplied
This year marks the 5th anniversary of the disappearance of Japhta Julius, who will be 80 years old in October, as his family continues to hope for closure.
Julius disappeared at the age of 74 years on April 25, 2021, after leaving his home in Tunny Crescent, Strandfontein.
The family, together with missing persons organisations, police, and the Community Policing Forum (CPF), have done extensive searches around Cape Town, including with the use of drones and even DNA testing on unclaimed bodies in a bid to find him.
Police spokesperson, Thembakazi Mphendukana, confirmed that there were no new developments in the case.
“Anyone with information that might know his whereabouts is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111; alternatively, utilise the MySAPS App to report anonymously.”
For his daughter, Ceejay Mactavie, and his wife, the pain grows daily, hoping they will achieve the same closure as families who are able to say their last goodbyes and bid farewell to their loved ones.
Mactavie said her dad would celebrate a milestone birthday of 80 years old in October.
“April 25 is always the most painful time. It has been five years, both my mum and I feel like we have been robbed by that.
“People have been able to get closure, we have not been able to.
“There have been no leads. He is just gone, he vanished.
“My dad would have celebrated his 80th birthday in October. We will more than likely celebrate it in his absence.”
Sandy Schuter Flowers, chairperson of the CPF in Strandfontein, said extensive searches were done.
"I actually have a report that I put together after the weeks of searching, we got calls about him being in Milnerton, we drove to the place, spoke to the man, it wasn't him.
"Then there was another call about a guy in Bellville, we drove to there and it wasn't him," she said.
"We did drone searches in various dense bushy areas, foot searches, vehicle searches.
"I called for days over the loud hailer but zero leads thereafter."
Chaz Thomas of the missing persons organisation Track n Trace, said the case was always active and would continue to share his flyer.
“We searched the Strandfontein area, we went door to door but found nothing.
“We will keep on keeping his case active by using social media until there is any news.”
Thomas said a new flyer has been created to showcase how Julius looked at the time when he vanished, as opposed to the original photograph used.