GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Graaff-Reinet resident John Doch (73), who tested positive for Covid-19, has gone missing from the isolation facility at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Doch's sister Maria (67) died on 2 June at Midland Hospital, and he was one of three family members who tested positive for Covid-19. Together with his grandchildren Elrico and Portia, he was taken by ambulance to the facility in Port Elizabeth on 4 June.
The next day, the elderly man allegedly walked out of the stadium and he has not been seen since. Security camera footage shows Doch being let out of the stadium facility from the eastern side in Prince Alfred Road by an HRG security officer who did not recognise him as a patient, according to a report from the Herald online. Internal security is handled by M Secure, and according to the director, Kaashief Niekerk, John was able to walk through the first checkpoint as one of his guards was not at his post.
The Advertiser spoke to Elrico, who was still at the facility, a week after his grandfather went missing. His family is furious. "The way he was dressed, he did not look like an employee - how can the security guard let him just walk out?" he said. On security footage sent by Elrico, John can be seen wearing a navy jacket over a blue shirt and yellow T-shirt, dark trousers and a black beanie. A search was mounted in the area immediately after John's disappearance was reported and routine searches were being carried out at shelters. The family is hoping that he will somehow make his way home, but Elrico said that his grandfather had never been to Port Elizabeth before, and suffers from dementia.
Elrico said that the family members were very disappointed that they were not given any information or updates. Apart from his own safety, there is also a concern for the health of those who may have been in contact with his grandfather. Mount Road police have opened a missing person case on 15 June, based on information provided by the stadium's head of security.
It states that at about 10pm on 5 June, the head of security was informed that Doch was missing.
The SAPS report contradicts the earlier report saying that Doch interacted with a security guard on the way out, and says that he was not spotted by any guard when exiting the grounds.
Anyone who may know of his whereabouts is asked to contact D/Sgt Thabo Mangcangaza on 041 394 6243 or D/Lt Col Cokisle Mfunda on 082 442 1305 or Crime Stop 08600 10111, or their nearest police station.
The police statement ends with a warning to members of the public to take the necessary precautions relating to Covid-19 if they see Doch, as he is positive for Covid-19.
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