A British-born man missing in South Africa has been found dead, presumed murdered, his family has said.

David Ezekiel, who emigrated from London 35 years ago, was last seen in Johannesburg over a week ago.

Witnesses saw him drive away from his home in a gated community in the suburb of Linksfield last Thursday, accompanied by two other cars.

According to the BBC, his family have said his body has been found. 

Mr Ezekiel’s relatives in Hertfordshire had been working closely with police and the Community Security Organisation (CSO) — South Africa’s equivalent of the CST.

They had said they were “incredibly worried” over what might have happened to him, calling his disappearance totally out of character.

Daughter Charlene described Mr Ezekiel, 60, as a “hard working, kind and loyal man”.

The family had launched an appeal for witnesses online, which was shared hundreds of times on social media. 

Mr Ezekiel, who was born in London and grew up in Stoke Newington, was an experienced chef who worked for several Jewish welfare organisations. He was semi-retired, and had been running a handyman business in recent years.

South African police said that it was investigating his death but that it was too “premature” to comment with the inquiry at “a very sensitive stage”.

A spokesman for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British man following his death in South Africa on 17 February. We remain in contact with local authorities.”