The search for Elaine McSorley, who went missing in Mkuze on September 27, continues. Image: iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority.
(The Post News)- The search for Elaine McSorley (71), a British Tourist, has entered its seventh day, with the police and community volunteers in Mkuze, KZN north, vowing to search tirelessly for the British national.
McSorley was last seen walking near the well-known Ghost Mountain area in Mkuze on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Reports suggest that McSorley and her 81-year-old partner were walking toward a local dam when the companion turned around because of the extreme heat. But McSorley went on and hasn’t been seen since.
Extensive Search Efforts Underway
The official search, spearheaded by the South African Police Service (SAPS), commenced in earnest on Sunday, September 28. It has since escalated to include both specialised ground teams and aerial support.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda, confirmed the continued efforts. “Police have been searching for her using both land and air capabilities since Sunday,” he stated. Drones are also being deployed to comb the dense bush and terrain.
Fears for McSorley’s safety were heightened the day after her disappearance when a crucial piece of evidence, a torn map thought to have been used by McSorley, was discovered close to the hotel. McSorley was reportedly wearing a white top and black jeans when she vanished.
Community Refuses to Give Up Hope
Adding vital strength to the search are residents and members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF), who have been active since the initial report. Bongani Mathenjwe, a representative for the CPF, stated that the community responded immediately to the alert, searching through Saturday night and into Sunday despite heavy rains.
“We are still uncertain as to what really transpired. She might still be alive, so we haven’t lost hope,” Mathenjwe said in a statement earlier this week. “We’ll continue with the search, which we started on the first day she was reported missing.”
Authorities are requesting the public’s help as the search enters its second week. It is recommended that anyone with information regarding McSorley’s location call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111 or the Mkhuze Police Station at 035 573 1088.
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