February 21, 2026 marks a somber and painful milestone for the Simango family. It has been exactly one year since Emmanuel Simango, a 30-year-old Zimbabwean man, missing without a trace in Pretoria West South Africa.
Emmanuel was last seen at the corner of Rebecca Street and Church Street, waiting for a taxi at approximately 10:00 PM after visiting a friend. Since that night, his disappearance has left a trail of unanswered questions, suspicious silences, and a family shattered by the agony of not knowing.
In an exclusive interview with ZimCodeNews, Emmanuel’s aunt, Julia Simango, spoke candidly about the relentless pain the family has endured over the past twelve months.
“Each day feels long, filled with pain and uncertainty. We wait for news that never comes. Our hope is fading, but we refuse to give up. We want people to remember him and know that he deserves to be found,” she said.
Julia described the crushing psychological toll of living with constant expectation and disappointment.
“Every time the phone rings, we hope it’s him or someone with news. But it’s always silence. It has been almost 365 days of hell. A person cannot just disappear into thin air. We are desperate for the truth.”
With the investigation in South Africa reportedly at a standstill, the family is now pushing to bridge the jurisdictional gap. Julia confirmed that efforts are underway to formally register the missing person report in Zimbabwe so investigations can proceed on both sides of the border.
“We are calling for both South African and Zimbabwean authorities to work together. This fight will continue and we will not let his name disappear.”
One of the most distressing aspects of the case remains the lack of information from individuals who were reportedly with Emmanuel on the night he disappeared. Julia referred to the “deafening silence” from those last in contact with him, stressing that the family will not be discouraged.
“The silence from those who were with him that night is heavy, but we will keep pushing for answers until the truth comes out.”
As the one-year anniversary passes, the family’s plea remains painfully simple: closure.
“Whether the news is good or bad, we have a right to know. Our hearts ache for clarity and truth. Any detail—no matter how small—could help. We cannot live like this for another year,” Julia said.