The family of 67-year-old Ebrahim Cassiem has launched an urgent public appeal for assistance after he disappeared during a trip from Johannesburg back to Cape Town. Cassiem was last seen in Westonaria, Gauteng, on 10 February 2024.
Cassiem’s daughter, Deney Simmons from Mitchells Plain on the Cape Flats, explained that although her father chose to live on the streets and had been residing under a bridge in Muizenberg, he always remained in close contact with his family.
“My father had itchy feet but would never disappear or go somewhere without us not knowing. He knows our numbers by heart,”
Deney said.
In January, Cassiem had travelled from Cape Town to Johannesburg by hitchhiking, seeking work opportunities. His family stayed in constant contact with Cassiem through an individual who employed him previously. Simmons clarified:
“My father hitchhiked to Johannesburg for work in January. We were in contact with the person where my father was because my dad previously worked for him.”
On 7 February, Cassiem requested funds from his family to facilitate his return to Cape Town, which they promptly provided. Simmons detailed the events leading up to her father’s disappearance, saying:
“On 7 February, my dad said that we should transfer him money to return back to Cape Town and we did.”
However, circumstances quickly took a troubling turn. Cassiem set off from Johannesburg on 10 February, but during the journey, he was reportedly robbed and stripped of his possessions. According to Simmons, police intervened at one point, yet they allowed him to continue his trip in the company of a woman who agreed to take him as far as Westonaria, dropping him off at a known truckers’ stop.
“On 10 February my dad left with someone. My dad got robbed and everything was taken. Police were stopped on the road but they let my dad drive with another woman who had to drop him at the truckers point in Westonaria,”
Simmons recounted.
Despite Simmons maintaining contact with the woman who last saw Cassiem, there has been no sign of him since he was left at Westonaria. Simmons confirmed that the woman’s account matches their understanding of events, which has increased concern among family members.
The family’s distress has been compounded by challenges in lodging a missing person’s case with Johannesburg police authorities. Simmons highlighted their frustration, as procedural hurdles have delayed formal action to trace her father.
Anyone with information about Ebrahim Cassiem or who might have encountered him in Westonaria or elsewhere since his disappearance is urged to reach out immediately to the family. The family provided the following contact numbers: 073 330 1154 or 082 903 4434.
