Family fears for father missing in South Africa
RELATIVES OF a British man who has vanished in South Africa say they are “incredibly worried” over what might have happened to him.
David Ezekiel, who emigrated from London 35 years ago and now lives in Johannesburg, was last seen last Thursday evening.
Witnesses saw him drive out of the gated community in the suburb of Linksfield at around 6pm, accompanied by two other cars.
Mr Ezekiel’s son Jason, 36, is working closely with police and the Community Security Organisation (CSO) — South Africa’s equivalent of the CST — to track his father down.
Meanwhile, his sister Charlane, also known as Charlie, flew to London from her home in Los Angeles this week to be with her extended family.
The 34-year-old designer said: “We’re very confused and are just trying to piece together the puzzle to find out where he is.”
The disappearance was totally out of character for her “great father”, who she described as a “hard working, kind and loyal man”.
She added: “South Africa is quite a difficult country in terms of corruption and figuring out what’s the truth.”
Police and the CSO have appealed for witnesses to come forward, describing Mr Ezekiel as a “heavy set” 60-year-old man with grey hair, brown eyes and a “British accent”.
The family have issued an online appeal for witnesses, which has been shared hundreds of times on social media.
Ms Ezekiel told the JC: “He left the house at around 6pm with two people — an Indian man and woman. We think he went with them to sell two cars, but nothing is set in stone.
“They went out for dinner and then dropped him somewhere in an area called Benoni.”
She said the grandfatherof-two was last seen getting into a car in the Benoni area at around 10.30 pm. According
David Ezekiel with his daughter Charlane to Ms Ezekiel, the man and woman were subsequently arrested, but released without charge.
Mr Ezekiel, who was born in Aldgate and grew up in Stoke Newington, is an experienced chef who worked for several Jewish welfare organisations. He is divorced and now semi-retired, though has been running a handyman business in recent years.
His brother Immanuel, who lives in Bushey, said he and his family are “incredibly worried”. He said he is waiting to hear of any developments and is prepared to travel to South Africa “at the drop of a hat”. A spokesman for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office stated: “We are in contact with the South African authorities and the family of a British man after he was reported missing in Johannesburg.”