Local and German police were working together in the search for a German businessman who disappeared shortly after landing in South Africa, a spokesperson said on Sunday.

"We are working closely together with German police on the investigation," said Senior Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo.

Two German police officers were in South Africa to help find the businessman Uwe Gemballa who went missing after landing at the OR Tambo International Airport on 8 February.

Gemballa is the owner and founder of Gemballa Porsche Conversions, which does conversions on Porsches and other luxury sports cars across the globe.

"All we know is [that] he contacted his wife on the 9th [of February] and he hasn't left South Africa. He is missing, basically," said Naidoo.

The entrepreneur is thought to have visited South Africa on a business trip. He was due to leave the country on 10 February, Naidoo said.

Meanwhile German media reported that the Gemballa family had issued a ?10 000 reward for information that may lead to his rescue.

The Sunday Times newspaper had received information from people close to the investigation that several people had been questioned by police and were subsequently released.

The newspaper also suggested that a Czech Republic fugitive, a businessman who is believed to be in South Africa may have been involved in Gemballa's disapearance.

The Czech businessman had been convicted for fraud in absentia in the Czech Republic and the Johannesburg High Court in 2005 turned down his extradition application.

German embassy spokesperson Martin Schaefer referred questions to the police.