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A Durban police officer who was reported missing after failing to return home from work on Friday was later found disoriented inside her vehicle following a collision on the R74 in KwaZulu-Natal.

Warrant Officer Rubika Rambarran (49), a member of Durban Central SAPS, was reported missing after she failed to arrive at her Oaklands home.

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She was last seen at about 6:45 pm while travelling in her private vehicle, a white Toyota RunX.

Reaction Unit’s Prem Balram said information circulated in the police missing person’s report indicates that a colleague had seen Rambarran travelling near the R102 in the Mount Edgecombe area shortly before she disappeared.

Balram said at the time, she was reportedly dressed in her full SAPS uniform. Her cellphone was also unreachable.

He said the breakthrough came after information was received regarding the location of a white Toyota RunX on the R74.

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“Rambarran’s brother immediately went to the scene and confirmed that his sister had been found inside the vehicle. According to her family, Rambarran appeared disoriented and her vehicle had been involved in a collision,” he said in a statement.

They further alleged that her state-issued firearm and spare magazine were missing. The family also believes that another person may have been travelling in the vehicle, citing damage to the front left section of the windscreen and indications that someone may have occupied the front passenger seat.

He said based on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance and subsequent discovery, family members suspect that Rambarran may have been the victim of a hijacking.

The exact circumstances leading to the incident remain unclear, and police investigations are expected to determine what transpired between the time Rambarran was last seen and when she was located.