Missing man: A 32-year-old has been missing at sea since New Year’s Day after disappearing in the ocean near Mthwalume on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. His family says he was seen alive in the water, but police did not enter the sea due to rough conditions. More than a week later, the family continues to search daily and is questioning the response from authorities.
Missing Person at Mthwalume Beach: What Happened on New Year’s Day
Xolani Thembelani Zuke, aged 32, went missing at the Mthwalume beach on 1 January 2026 at Sthephazini Beach, also known as eSihlonyaneni, near Mthwalume on the KZN South Coast.
According to the family, the incident occurred around 16:00. They report that Zuke was caught in the ocean during rough conditions. The police were contacted immediately and arrived at the scene shortly thereafter.
Family members allege that officers assessed the situation but said they could not enter the water because the conditions were too dangerous. A statement was taken, and the police left the beach.
Relatives remained behind and continued searching along the shoreline. During this time, they say Zuke was clearly seen in the water, lifting his hand as if calling for help.
Police were contacted again and returned to the scene. The family says officers repeated that they could not enter the sea under those conditions and told them they would return the next morning.
Police Response to Missing Person at Sea Raises Questions
On 2 January 2026, family members returned to Mthwalume Beach at around 04:00 to continue the search for Zuke at the beach.
They waited for the police and disaster management teams to arrive. When officials eventually came, relatives say no physical search was conducted in the ocean.
Instead, a drone camera was deployed briefly over the water. According to the family, the authorities said they could not see anything and then left the area.
“They did not go into the water, and they never came back,” a family member said.
Since that day, no ongoing sea search operation has taken place, despite the man being reported missing and last seen alive in the water.
Hibberdene Police Station and Missing Person Case Number Delay
As days passed without feedback, concern grew that the missing person case had not been properly recorded.
On 7 January 2026, a cousin of Zuke went to Hibberdene Police Station to request a case number for the missing person case.
“The police acted like they did not know about the case,” the family said.
Relatives allege that although officers took a statement on the day of the incident, Zuke’s personal details were not captured on the police system. This, they believe, contributed to the absence of follow-up and coordination.
Police reportedly said they would contact the family, but by the next day, there had been no call or update.
Attempts to obtain comment from Hibberdene SAPS were unsuccessful by the time of publication. Calls and messages sent to the station were not returned, and no official response had been received regarding the handling of the missing person case.
Family Searches Daily Along South Coast Beach
Despite the lack of official progress, the family has continued searching for Xolani Zuke every day along the shoreline near Mthwalume.
They arrive early in the morning and spend the entire day at the beach, hoping to find any sign of him. They bring food with them and leave only at night, returning home briefly before coming back again the next day.
“It hurts to wake up every morning and go to the sea with hope,” a relative said. “You stand there waiting, but nothing happens. It feels like he disappeared without anyone caring.”
The family says their greatest wish is to recover his remains so they can bring closure and begin the grieving process.
Family Appeals for Help as Search for Missing Man Continues
The family is now appealing to authorities, community leaders, and the public for assistance in locating Xolani Zuke or determining what happened to him.
They are asking for clarity from SAPS, renewed search efforts, and accountability regarding how the case was handled from the start.
Anyone who was at or near Sthephazini Beach on the afternoon of 1 January 2026, or who may have information related to missing Xolani Zuke, is urged to come forward.
As the search continues, the family says they will not stop returning to the beach until answers are found.
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