The Limpopo Police are on a manhunt following the discovery of an elderly Mossel Bay couple, Dina (73) and Ernst Marais (71), in a river on Friday, May 22. They had multiple stab wounds.
Image: AI/ Cape Times
AUTHORITIES have identified the couple found dead in Kruger National Park as Dina, 73, and Ernst Marais, 71, of Mossel Bay, who went missing during their holiday.
An investigation is underway as police search for their vehicle and any clues surrounding their tragic deaths.
Limpopo police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their deaths after their bodies were discovered in a river in the park on Friday, May 22.
Police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that the couple had been reported missing after failing to return to their holiday accommodation as scheduled, triggering a large-scale search operation.
According to The Cape Times, the Marais couple had entered the park on Sunday, May 17, and were last seen alive on Wednesday morning at the Pafuri picnic site. Shortly after that sighting, communication with them ceased.
South African National Parks (SANParks) said a 24-hour search operation was launched on Thursday, involving ground teams and a helicopter unit. Despite extensive efforts, the breakthrough came when tourists later spotted the bodies floating in a nearby river.
The couple also owned a property in a wildlife estate in Hoedspruit, which was checked during the search, but was found empty.
SANParks spokesperson Reynold Thakuli said investigators initially believed the couple’s bakkie may have been affected by heavy rains and flooding in the northern parts of the park. However, the vehicle has not yet been located, prompting police to broaden the investigation to include possible hijacking.
“Many roads remained closed due to the weather, and we deployed aerial support to locate the vehicle, but our search yielded no results,” Thakuli said.
The missing vehicle remains a key focus of the investigation as forensic teams continue to process the scene for further evidence.
Police have appealed to anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the vehicle to come forward.