SA fugitive also wanted in Namibia

The Namibia Investigating Services (NIS) has confirmed that the search for South African fugitive Ferdi Visser (45) has now extended into Namibian territory.A reward of N$100 000 is being offered for information leading to Visser’s arrest.Lead investigator at NIS, Detective Michael Nieuwoudt, told Network Media Hub yesterday that Visser is believed to be in Namibia and is considered dangerous. “No one is as dangerous as someone who is hungry or has nothing to lose,” he warned.Thomas Frederick ‘Ferdi’ Visser escaped from custody at the Barberton Prison in Mpumalanga last year after being arrested in connection with the disappearance at sea of John ‘Matambu’ Dercksen (68), a skipper from Sodwana Bay.Following his escape, photographs of Visser and wanted notices were circulated across South Africa and Mozambique in November last year. He had failed to return to prison after performing community service outside the facility.Violating his parole conditionsDercksen went missing on Saturday, 16 March 2024, between Sodwana and the Mozambican border, after taking Visser, a client, on a fishing trip. The next day, Dercksen’s burnt-out boat was discovered on the coast at Ponta Dobela in Mozambique, but neither he nor Visser were found.Visser was eventually arrested a week later in Maputo following an extensive manhunt.A convicted criminal, Visser had previously served a three-year prison sentence and was out on parole at the time of Dercksen’s disappearance. It is believed he asked Dercksen to take him across the border into Mozambique, a request Dercksen may have refused.Visser appeared several times in the Mbazwana Magistrate’s Court in KwaZulu-Natal on charges of fraud or, alternatively, theft, though the charges were eventually withdrawn. However, he remained in custody for violating his parole conditions stemming from a previous fraud conviction and was meant to be incarcerated until August 2025.Anyone with information about Visser's whereabouts is urged to contact Detective Nieuwoudt at 081 641 5364.francoise@nmh.com.na

SA fugitive also wanted in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-05

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SA fugitive also wanted in Namibia

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-05

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