By Kopano Dibakwane
A week-long search for a missing businessman has ended after human remains were recovered from inside a crocodile in the Komati River, Komatipoort, on Saturday 2 May 2026.
The businessman, from Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng province, reportedly went missing after his Ford Ranger bakkie was found trapped inside the low-lying river on Monday 27 April 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the police in Mpumalanga, Colonel Mavela Masondo, said DNA tests will be conducted to establish if the human remains belong to the missing businessman.
“ The team identified a crocodile in the river, that was suspected to have carried out the attack on a missing person. The necessary permission was obtained to euthanise the crocodile. It is then that the human remains were found and retrieved from the crocodile,” said Colonel Mavela.
The same river also recently claimed the lives of two members of SANDF(South African National Defence Force), after their state bakkie was allegedly swept away by heaven current.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi has commended the joint team for working tirelessly in difficult and dangerous conditions to find the missing person.
“ I give honour to the dedicated team that has put their lives in danger to find the missing person. I know it was not easy, but they did not give up, even when they were faced with dangerous situation,” said Major General Mkhwanazi.
Colonel Mavela said investigations continue.
The joint team included Search and Rescue Unit from SAPS Search and Rescue, NatJoint, SanParks(South African National Parks), EMS(Emergency Medical Services), Securecon and Port Management Committee,
