The Catholic Archdiocese of Durban has confirmed that Father Bheki Joseph Motloung’s missing body has been found and was located at Bergville Dam.
“It with great sadness that the Archdioces of Durban has to inform you that the body of Fr Bheki Joseph Motloung was found yesterday evening at the Bergvillle Dam. We thank God for having found his body and we believe that his soul now rests with him in perfect peace,” said Father Elias Kwenzakufani Zondo, Vicar General.
Motloung was the parish priest at St Yves in Bergville and was last seen on June 5.
“We ask that you continue praying for his soul to rest with God and for his family as they go through this difficult time. We are in communication with his family and his Parish Priest, and we will continue to communicate further with you as arrangements are made,” Zondo added.
Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara (CCM) had previously reported that the SAPS Search and Rescue team was searching for the missing priest, but he was nowhere to be found. Jwara said the news were alerted about Motloung’s disappearance and made every effort to locate him.
“Working with various public and private agencies, including Tracker and the South African Police Services, the Archdiocese continue to actively exhaust every option at its disposal to ensure his safe return. Police from Durban and our priests also went to Bergville to search for Fr Motloung,” he said.