Police and private security searches for Russell Cromhout (69) have thus far been unsuccessful after he was reported missing yesterday.

Cromhout lived on a smallholding in the farming area of Esenembe (Upper Tongaat) in KZN, and alarm bells were raised when his friends and family were unable to reach him telephonically.

According to Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), Cromhout’s family had last seen him for his birthday two weeks prior and he has not been seen since.

After he was reported missing, investigators found his home ransacked and his car, a white Hyundai Tucson (NT 25316), also gone.

Rusa launched a helicopter search that flew above Esenembe and Ndwedwe this afternoon but neither Cromhout nor the car were found.

The helicopter search was called off due to bad light after sunset.

If you have any information that may be useful, contact RUSA at 086 123 4333.