85-year-old missing since January
An extensive search operation is underway in the Free State after an 85-year-old man disappeared while tending to his livestock on a farm near Rosendal more than two months ago.
Kristan Free Mahlophe of Mautse, outside Rosendal, was last seen on 21 January 2025 when he left home to check on his animals. He was accompanied by his dog, which later returned without him, raising immediate alarm among his family.
Authorities have confirmed that Mahlophe was wearing a scorch jersey, safari light shoes, and a brown cowboy hat at the time he went missing.
"The dog returned home, but he did not."
Community joins forces with police
A dedicated search team has been assembled to locate the missing octogenarian. The operation brings together visible policing members, local detectives, Community Police Forum representatives, and residents from the surrounding area who have volunteered their time and knowledge of the terrain.
The collaborative effort between law enforcement and community members underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the disappearance. The rugged farmland surrounding Rosendal presents significant challenges for search teams combing the area.
Police have urged anyone with information about Mahlophe's whereabouts to come forward immediately. The elderly man's prolonged absence has left his family and the broader Mautse community deeply concerned for his safety and wellbeing.
Authorities continue to appeal to farmers, farmworkers, and residents in the greater Rosendal district to remain vigilant and report any sightings or information that could assist in bringing Mahlophe home safely.
The disappearance of Kristan Free Mahlophe highlights the vulnerabilities facing elderly rural South Africans living in remote farming communities where emergency response and communication infrastructure remain limited. For families dependent on livestock farming in the Free State, the case raises urgent questions about safety measures for aging farmers working alone across vast terrain. The strong community-police collaboration offers a model for rural safety efforts, though the prolonged two-month search underscores the challenges of locating missing persons in isolated agricultural areas.
