HELP NEEDED To Find Scott van Zyl Gone Missing In Zimbabwe

[Wallnutt]

Spoke to his wife just a while ago. Nothing new to report. Pray for peace and comfort for she and the kids. If Scott can be found Abel, Marcel and crew can do it. There is no quit in his loyal friends and brothers. Please continue to share the GoFundMe page and Scott's story. Money keeps the resources in place and the search alive. Be tough my friend... we will not give up!

 

[lcq]

Is it possible he was picked up by watercraft and taken up/down river?

The reward will be a powerful motivator for the locals to aid in the search

 

[Ruark]

It's so easy to armchair quarterback this, but for those of us who are statebound, there's little else for us to do besides donate money and speculate. It would be helpful to know the condition of his packs, for example. Had they been rummaged through? If not, that would probably rule out bandits. In fact, they probably would have taken them. If he jumped onto a boat, he certainly wouldn't have left them behind. Land based animal attacks (lion, hyenas, hippos, etc.) would have left tracks all over the place and certainly blood and/or struggle sign. I'm curious what direction his final tracks were pointing, and where his pack was in relation to his tracks. That could tell us a lot.

 

[mrpoindexter]

If he was kidnapped, they might have forced him to drop the backpack in case there was a cell phone or tracker on it? The reality is that for kidnapping, almost all the value is in the person and not their backpack. But again, this is just speculation which really does little to help bring Scott back.

 

[Biddleman]

Is it possible he was picked up by watercraft and taken up/down river?

This was my first thought with the report that his tracks stop at the river and there was no sign of struggle. Interesting rumor that his shoes were found. Could add to the abduction theory. No shoes makes it harder to run away. Of course this is all speculation. Hopefully the reward money will get someone to talk if they know anything.

My prayers for his well being and his wife and young children.

 

[008]

Is he related to Poen van Zyl? Just some him on Tracks across Africa as the PH.

Agree with the above, such a strange set of circumstances that we've heard that it defies a logical thought pattern. That said the simplest solution is usually the right one.

I hope they're shooting the big crocs.

 

[billc]

I was hoping for this to be over by now and him being home with his family. I cant even think how hard this is on the wife an kids plus all his friends. I still hold out hope he will turn up and get back home soon.

 

[rookhawk]

Is he related to Poen van Zyl? Just some him on Tracks across Africa as the PH.

Agree with the above, such a strange set of circumstances that we've heard that it defies a logical thought pattern. That said the simplest solution is usually the right one.

I hope they're shooting the big crocs.

That's just it. The circumstances are baffling to say the least. There is no "writing on the wall" and that's why hope is alive and every avenue is being explored. A croc doesn't say "excuse me buddy, set your stuff down so I can show you something" but a fellow human does if you're hopping in his boat.

Scott is a professional with his wits about him and so are all the people on the ground. We just don't know what's going on. We could find him at a kraal nursing a broken ankle being tended by locals, we could find him ransomed back healthy for a few grand from some idiot poachers, we could find him disoriented following the wrong river because he thinks he's at the Limpopo but he turned to the shashe at a convergence unknowing.

Uncertainty is horrible but the bizarre circumstances are the reason to keep our hopes up for Scott. Evidence and logic says we should continue to be hopeful and support them following every lead, every scenario. I've heard nothing so concrete as to surrender hope.

 

[ChasingHemingway]

Additional thoughts and prayers...

 

[cpr0312]

Continued prayers here as well!

 

[johnnyblues]

Geeez..I was driving to work thinking about this. I was hoping for positive news. Such a strange occurrence. Are there poachers working this area? And if so would kidnapping him be worth it to them? I mean why abduct just an average Joe? Prayers for him and is family.

 

[Roan]

I know everyone wants to speculate about what happened but just remember that his wife is on this post as well and I am sure she has more than enough things going through her mind without us adding to it.

Just something to be aware off.

 

[V.Veritas]

Roan in right. I check out this thread several times a day looking for the good news we are all awaiting for. Scott and his family are in my thoughts and prayers constantly. Let's just wait and hope.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

An update from @Salome de Villiers.


UPDATE
Good evening everyone, herewith the lates feeback: "The day was spent mostly on the river with the divers searching the Limpopo River in the area where Scott's bag was found. The choppers was also once again flying the river and following up on all possible leads inland and on the riverside. Lots of population are alongside the river and lots of fisherman is active. We once again want to thank each and everyone for their commitment and also need to thank the Zimbabwean Police for their incredible help and willingness to assist in this search and rescue. The Zimbabwe PH Association is also part of the S&R with incredible help. Scott's GPS was also taken today and all data was downloaded. This will continue tomorrow to help finding searchable areas and GPS points. The handheld GPS is able to track and follow up to 16 dogs at a time. Villages was also visited to see if any info did emerge since the pamphlets was spread from the helicopter yesterday."

I was asked by a family member of Scott who is also part of the search team to give special thanks on behalf of the search team for all the food, water & fuel that's being donated and supplied to them by individuals and shops during the search. He said that " it's unbelievable the amount of support we receive and how people have opened their hearts towards us"

So, on behalf of all search parties involved, Thank You!!

I would like to end this update by also thanking each and everyone of you guys again for your continious support & prayers. We would not have been able to continue the search this long without each and everyone of yours support in prayers and donations.

 

[ChristoHunter]

Been following this thread daily, just read on another news site that 2 crocodiles was shot in the area where his pack was found. They found human remains in both crocs, can this be confirmed?

 

[BRICKBURN]

To put a face to the name.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Just curious...........the latest update says: "The day was spent mostly on the river with the divers searching the Limpopo River in the area where Scott's bag was found."

How do divers work in a river that has crocs?

 

[Brent in Az]

Just curious...........the latest update says: "The day was spent mostly on the river with the divers searching the Limpopo River in the area where Scott's bag was found."

How do divers work in a river that has crocs?

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[BRICKBURN]

Just curious...........the latest update says: "The day was spent mostly on the river with the divers searching the Limpopo River in the area where Scott's bag was found."

How do divers work in a river that has crocs?

Large support team on the banks watching very carefully.

 

[johnnyblues]

I know everyone wants to speculate about what happened but just remember that his wife is on this post as well and I am sure she has more than enough things going through her mind without us adding to it.

Just something to be aware off.

Quite right sir. Didn't mean to cause any more stress.