The search for a United States tourist reported as missing was called off on Monday after Eastern Cape police received confirmation that she had never left the US.

"We only received confirmation a few minutes ago. The person had never been in South Africa," said Inspector Elmarie van Eck.

"We are going to stop with the search and investigation now," she said.

The 24-year-old woman, identified as Nicole Renaye Harris, was initially thought to have gone missing en-route to Cradock, in the Eastern Cape, on Tuesday.

Police were told she arrived at OR Tambo International Airport, in Kempton Park, on Tuesday and hired a silver Volkswagon Polo to drive to Cradock in the Eastern Cape.

The friend she was supposedly on her way to meet reported her missing to the police.