KOMATIPOORT, Mpumalanga – Authorities have recovered human remains believed to be those of a 59-year-old businessman who went missing in the Komati River. The discovery came after a five-day search operation hampered by strong currents and a significant presence of crocodiles and hippopotamuses.
On 28 April 2026, the man was driving alone in his black Ford Ranger bakkie when he attempted to cross a submerged low-lying bridge over the Komati River in the Komatipoort area amid heavy rains and flooding. The vehicle became trapped in the rising water. Responding officers located the bakkie on the bridge with no occupant inside. The vehicle was later retrieved from the river.
The 59-year-old businessman, who resided in Vanderbijlpark in Gauteng but had connections to the Komatipoort area, is understood to have been the sole occupant. Police suspect he exited the vehicle and was swept away by the strong current.
Search and rescue teams, including police divers from the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit, launched an immediate operation. Efforts included walking along riverbanks, deploying drones, and utilising helicopter support. Searches were suspended at night due to safety concerns and resumed each day.
Conditions in the river presented major obstacles. A large number of crocodiles were observed moving in and out of the water near the site where the vehicle was recovered. Strong currents further prevented divers from entering the river safely. Teams therefore relied on aerial surveillance and other alternative methods because of the infestation of crocodiles and hippos in the area.
The Komati River in the Komatipoort region is known for its crocodile population. The waterway flows from Mpumalanga through Eswatini and into Mozambique. The area previously saw a similar incident in December 2025, when two South African National Defence Force members were swept away in floodwaters in the same river system.
During intensified search efforts, police shot a large crocodile in the river. When the animal was examined, human body parts were found inside. These remains are believed to be those of the missing 59-year-old businessman, marking a tragic end to the five days of searching.
An inquest docket is expected to be opened as standard procedure. Formal identification processes, including any DNA testing, would follow normal investigative protocols.
The incident highlights the dangers associated with attempting to cross low-water bridges during periods of heavy rainfall in flood-prone parts of Mpumalanga. Local authorities have repeatedly cautioned motorists against such crossings when water levels are high. The Komatipoort area, located near the border with Mozambique, adds further challenges to search and recovery operations because of the river’s course and environmental conditions.
Throughout the search, updates confirmed the details of the disappearance and the difficulties encountered by rescue teams. This recovery concludes an extensive multi-agency effort that demonstrated both the challenges posed by the river and the commitment of those involved in the operation.
OTHER NEWS
Foreign National Electrocuted While Tampering with Electrical Transformer in Mamelodi West, Tshwane
On 30 April 2026, a foreign national died after being electrocuted at an electrical transformer installation in Mamelodi West, Tshwane, Gauteng.
According to reports, the man was tampering with the transformer when he came into contact with live high-voltage electrical infrastructure. He was killed instantly at the scene.
Emergency services and City of Tshwane officials responded to the incident. Images from the scene show an open transformer enclosure with a covered form on the ground nearby.
The man’s identity has not been officially released by authorities. Police are investigating the incident. No official statement has been issued by the City of Tshwane or SAPS at the time of reporting.
Tampering with electrical infrastructure, often associated with cable theft attempts, carries extreme risk due to high-voltage currents and has resulted in fatalities in similar incidents. This remains a developing story.
