Missing Businessman: Human Remains Found in Captured Crocodile
Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Human remains were found inside the intestine of a crocodile captured in the Komati River during the search for a missing 59-year-old businessman from Gauteng.
The businessman’s Ford Ranger was previously discovered stuck on a low-lying bridge in the flooded Komati River near Komatipoort.
Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo stated that the businessman had been missing for several days.
“After a week-long search for the missing individual, a crocodile, believed to be connected to the disappearance, was identified in the river,” Colonel Masondo reported on Saturday, 2 May 2026.
He mentioned that the necessary approvals were secured to euthanize the crocodile.
“During this process, the human remains were found and extracted from the crocodile,” Colonel Masondo added.
“DNA testing will be carried out to confirm if the remains belong to the businessman who was reported missing after his Ford Ranger was found trapped in the low-lying bridge in the Komati River, Komatipoort.”
Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, acting provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Mpumalanga, commended the team that searched for the missing businessman under difficult and dangerous conditions.
The team included members from the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit, NatJoint, SANParks, Emergency Medical Services, Securecon, and the Port Management Committee.
“I praise the dedicated team that put their lives at risk to find the missing person,” Major General Mkhwanazi remarked.
“I acknowledge the challenges they faced, yet they persevered, even when confronted with hazardous conditions.”
In addition to the human remains, the postmortem examination of the crocodile revealed various shoes and slippers in its stomach, suggesting it may have consumed more victims.