Missing hiker's family appeal for experts and equipment to help in search efforts

Harare, 11 January 2014 - The family of the Zimbabwean man, Zayd Dada, who went missing in the Inyangani Mountains exactly one week ago have appealed to the local and international community for help.

Rayaaz Dada, his elder brother, has asked for professional trackers, mountain climbers and hikers to come forward and assist the family in their search for his 31 year-old brother who went missing while on a hiking expedition with family and friends.
He said the search parties efforts had been hampered by rain and fog and the complexity of the terrain had made rescue efforts difficult.

Dada said there was a need for people with experience in high angle rock search and rescue, mountaineering and hiking as well as thermal scanning units which would help immensely in the search for Zayd.

"We are appealing for anyone who can help us to come forward. Time is of the essence and we are getting desperate. We need to find Zayd," he added.

He said at the moment there were at least 80 people on the ground searching for Zayd but that there was need for many more feet on the ground.

"While we are so grateful to all the volunteers who have come forward and are helping us we still need many more and, more importantly, we need people with the requisite experience and equipment to help us find Zayd."

Dada said his family, and especially his mother and Zayd's wife Neelam were distraught and beside themselves with worry, but he said they would never ever give up in their search for his brother."

"We know Zayd is somewhere out there. He is lost and probably exhausted and injured. We need to find him and bring home as soon as we can. We are begging for anyone who can help us to please come forward," he added.

He said the family was overwhelmed by the messages of love and support they had received from all over the world and by the numbers of people who had come forward to offer their help in trying to trace the whereabouts of Zayd.

"We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts and we appeal to you not to give up on Zayd and to continue to pray and to help us to find my brother and to bring him home to my mother and his wife," said a highly emotional Dada.

Zayd, his wife Neelam and another couple went hiking in the Mount Nyangani area on Saturday 4 January. Halfway up the mountain his wife and friends decided to turn back and Zayd continued up the trail without them. He has not been seen since.

Anyone who can offer help or advice in anyway can log onto the Facebook page Lets Find Zayd!!! They can also contact Rayaaz Dada on 0774279807, Tariq Dada on 0779390360 or Mohamed Khan on 0777022706 if they want to offer any support.

Media Please Note: For further information please contact Shehnilla Mohamed on 0772158065 or Shehnillam@gmail.com