Authorities have confirmed that human remains, believed to belong to a 59-year-old missing businessman from Gauteng, were found inside a crocodile in the Komati River, marking a tragic turn in an ongoing search operation.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the discovery was made on Saturday by a joint team involving SAPS Search and Rescue, NatJoints, SANParks, Emergency Medical Services, Securecon, and the Port Management Committee. Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo indicated that DNA testing will be carried out to verify the identity of the remains.
Masondo explained that after a week-long search, investigators located a crocodile in the river suspected to have been involved in the attack. The businessman was reported missing last month after his Ford Ranger was found stuck on a low-lying bridge in the Komatipoort River, which runs from Mpumalanga through Eswatini and into Mozambique.
Conditions during the search were extremely challenging, with fast-moving currents and a large presence of crocodiles making recovery efforts difficult. Captain Pottie Potgieter of the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit noted that the environment posed serious risks to rescue personnel, adding that strong water flow made it unsafe for divers to enter.
Aerial assistance, including a SANParks helicopter and drone surveillance, was also deployed to support the search mission.
In a statement, Acting Mpumalanga Provincial Police Commissioner Zeph Mkhwanazi praised the combined teams for their dedication despite the hazardous circumstances, acknowledging their commitment even in dangerous conditions.
Officials have stated that forensic examinations will confirm whether the remains are those of the missing businessman, while investigations into the full circumstances of the incident remain ongoing.
