Despite search parties and the SAPS combing the area on foot and horseback, there is no sign of Tony (73) and Jill (78) Dinnis, who disappeared from their cottage on a farm in Middelrus near Mooi River, KZN.

The couple was last seen on Sunday morning by their landlords, Kevin and Sue Taylor.

“There are currently no leads, nothing. It is as if aliens picked them up and took them,” one of the searchers, who asked not to be named, told Caxton Local Media.

Last seen

Sue said their disappearance was discovered on Tuesday when Kevin went to the couple’s cottage to talk to them.

“My husband became suspicious and started investigating. He found everything in the house still intact and it didn’t look like there was any home invasion. They don’t go anywhere often and when they do, they would always lock their dogs in separate rooms so they wouldn’t fight, and they were in their respectful rooms,” said Sue.

She added that all doors and the gate were locked and the couple’s vehicle was still on the property. Their five dogs and three cats that were inside the locked house are currently being looked after by someone else.

Sue said they also found it strange that Jill’s walking stick was found inside the house.

“Jill couldn’t walk properly or do a long distance walk because she was limping and always used her walking stick. They wouldn’t have walked anywhere, so we don’t know what could’ve happened to them,” explained Sue.

She said although they were both social people, they hardly visited anyone or went out since the roads going up to the farm were in a poor condition.

“They both kept it to themselves, they lived by themselves and would do gardening while Jill made jam and pickle that she used to sell at the market. Their sons live out of town, but we were able to contact the granddaughter that stays close to us. She was with us during the search on Tuesday and phoned the sons, but they too don’t know where they are or what could’ve happened to them,” added Sue.

Search

Concerned residents have been sharing the missing persons’ posts in the hope that someone had seen the elderly couple. Sue said they had been searching for them since Tuesday.

“The police, security people and police search and rescue all came on Wednesday to search with sniffer dogs, but they couldn’t find anything.”

Pietermaritzburg police spokesperson Sergeant Sifiso Gwala told The Witness that a missing persons case was reported at the Mooi River Police Station on Wednesday.

“Anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of this couple can contact Mooi River SAPS or the nearest police station,” said Gwala.