Missing primary school teacher found unharmed at petrol station

Police found a missing primary school teacher at a petrol station on the N1 highway outside Cape Town on Tuesday.

Werner Stander did not arrive for work at Goodwood Park Primary School on Monday morning. His girlfriend reported him missing on Tuesday. 

The 47-year-old Brackenfell man was last seen by his girlfriend at 6.40am, when he left home for work in Eden Park.

"At the time of disappearance he was wearing a blue fleece top, brown pants and brown Hi-Tec shoes. Werner weighs approximately 100kg and is 1.75m tall. He has brown eyes and short grey hair," said police spokesperson Sgt Botsotso Mjiwu on Tuesday.

"He left in his white Corsa bakkie, registration number CCC11148."

According to Stander's Facebook page, he started work at the school this year.

In an update on Tuesday afternoon, police said Stander was found unharmed in his vehicle at a petrol station near Paarl and then taken to a medical facility. 

Western Cape education department spokesperson Jessica Shelver said a contingency plan was in place to ensure minimal disruption to teaching and learning at the school.

She added that Stander's disappearance was "not school-related".