Local news

Search for missing Esenembe pensioner, home found ransacked

A helicopter was launched to search the surrounding area this afternoon.

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

Cromhout lived on a smallholding in the farming area of Esenembe (Upper Tongaat), 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.

Cromhout’s car is also missing.

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.

* Note, this story has been updated for accuracy to reflect the correct date on which a missing person’s case was opened.


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James Anderson

James has been at The North Coast Courier since 2020, covering sport, culture and municipal news. If he's not on his 10th cup of coffee trying to make deadline, you can probably find him watching any and all South African sport and the latest movie releases. More »
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