HARTBEESPOORT – Nearly three weeks after 39-year-old skipper Jan “Obakeng” Mokonyane disappeared beneath the waters of Hartbeespoort Dam, his family is still desperately waiting for answers.

Mokonyane went missing on Sunday, 25 October 2026, when the boat he was operating capsized approximately one kilometre from shore at around 17:00.

Eight passengers were rescued from the water by people aboard another boat, but Mokonyane disappeared beneath the surface and has not been seen since.

Despite an extensive search involving police divers, rescue boats, drones, helicopters and specialist search dogs, authorities had not located him as of the latest confirmed reports on 13 November.

The search has been severely hampered by the enormous quantities of water hyacinth covering the dam, once again highlighting the dangers posed by the invasive aquatic plant.

What happened on 25 October?

According to initial reports from Hartbeespoort Marine Law Enforcement and SRU Maritime Search and Rescue, the boat was carrying nine people, including Mokonyane, when it overturned.

Arthur Crewe, head of the Hartbeespoort Marine Law Enforcement Unit, said the skipper reportedly lost control of the vessel before it capsized.

The eight passengers were rescued by a passing boat, but Mokonyane reportedly went underwater and did not resurface.

Emergency services immediately launched a search, continuing until approximately 21:00 that evening before resuming operations the following morning.

The precise circumstances surrounding the accident have not been conclusively established.

North West police subsequently confirmed that a missing-person investigation had been opened.

Hyacinth turns search into a nightmare

The search operation has been complicated by some of the worst water hyacinth conditions experienced on Hartbeespoort Dam.

Large, tightly packed mats of the invasive plant have made sections of the dam almost inaccessible to rescue vessels.

The vegetation is constantly shifting with the wind, making it difficult for search teams to maintain access to areas already identified for investigation.

According to Crewe, the water in the area where Mokonyane disappeared is approximately 25 metres deep.

Poor underwater visibility, cold conditions at depth and dense floating vegetation have made diving operations particularly challenging.

Police have explained that diving operations cannot safely continue under certain hazardous conditions, including severely contaminated water and extensive aquatic vegetation.

The presence of hyacinth also creates the possibility that objects beneath the floating mats may be difficult to detect.

However, there has been no confirmation of Mokonyane’s whereabouts.

Family appeals for government intervention

As the search entered its third week, Mokonyane’s family appealed to government to provide additional specialist equipment and personnel.

Speaking to SABC News on 11 November, family representative Alpheus Mpyatona expressed frustration at the difficulties confronting search teams.

He explained that the thick vegetation was preventing rescuers from reaching certain areas and that more equipment and professional assistance were urgently needed.

For the family, the prolonged uncertainty has become an agonising ordeal.

Every passing day without answers adds to their distress.

The family has also appealed to anyone who witnessed the accident, assisted in rescuing the passengers or has information about what happened to come forward.

Mokonyane was reportedly involved in the events industry through a business known as Lona Fela.

Extensive search operation

The South African Police Service’s Water Wing, Hartbeespoort Marine Law Enforcement, SRU Maritime Search and Rescue, private security companies and community volunteers have contributed to the operation.

According to North West police spokesperson Adele Myburgh, the Police Water Wing had spent approximately 80 hours searching by boat by 11 November.

The search has also involved helicopters, drones and specialist dogs.

Crewe said aerial surveillance had been used repeatedly to inspect areas where rescue boats could not safely operate.

A possible sighting near the dam wall was investigated by drone, but no trace of Mokonyane was found.

Another extensive search operation was planned for Thursday, 12 November.

Despite the considerable resources already deployed, the latest available reports indicate that the search had not yet produced a breakthrough.

A growing safety concern for Hartbeespoort

Mokonyane’s disappearance has intensified concerns about boating safety on Hartbeespoort Dam.

The hyacinth infestation has become far more than an environmental or tourism problem.

Dense floating vegetation can obstruct propellers, cause engines to overheat and trap boats in areas that were previously navigable.

In a separate incident during the weekend of 7 and 8 November, rescue teams struggled for hours to reach boaters stranded in thick hyacinth. One skipper was forced to remain on the dam overnight before rescuers could reach him.

The incidents have raised questions about emergency access, boating preparedness and the resources available to respond to accidents.

Authorities have urged boat owners and passengers to wear life jackets, ensure that their vessels are properly equipped, avoid excessive alcohol consumption and check conditions before launching.

Crewe has also stressed the importance of planning boating trips carefully and carrying charged mobile phones to enable stranded boaters to communicate their locations.

A community waiting for answers

For Hartbeespoort residents, the continuing search is a painful reminder of how quickly a recreational outing can turn into a tragedy.

The efforts of police, emergency personnel, private organisations and volunteers have demonstrated the determination of those involved to find the missing skipper.

But for Mokonyane’s family, the most important question remains unanswered.

What happened to Jan “Obakeng” Mokonyane after the boat capsized, and where is he now?

As the search continues, his loved ones are appealing for assistance and information that could help bring an end to their uncertainty.

Anyone with credible information about the incident on 25 October is urged to contact the South African Police Service.

Members of the public are also asked to respect the family’s privacy and refrain from spreading unverified information about Mokonyane’s disappearance.