Mossel Bay couple found murdered in Kruger National Park
The two people found dead in a river in a Limpopo wildlife reserve have been identified as Ernst and Dina Marais.
The Limpopo Police are investigating two cases of murder, as well as a case of hijacking, following the deaths of an elderly Mossel Bay couple in the Kruger National Park on Friday (May 22), reports Mossel Bay Advertiser.
The couple have been identified as Dina (73) and Ernst Marais (71).
This was confirmed with Mossel Bay Advertiser by Hlulani Mashaba, the Provincial Head for Corporate Communication and Liaison for the Limpopo Police.
Ernst and Dina were visiting the Kruger National Park in Limpopo and were reportedly set to return to Mossel Bay on Friday, when it ended in tragedy.
News24 reported that the couple had checked into the park on May 17 and were last seen at the Pafuri picnic area on Wednesday (May 20).
According to a statement issued by the South African National Parks (SANparks), following a search operation that was launched on Thursday (May 21), the couple’s bodies were discovered by tourists, floating in a nearby river inside the Kruger National Park.
It has also been reported that while Ernst and Dina are believed to be from Mossel Bay, they allegedly have a home in a wildlife estate in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, which was visited by the Kruger National Park’s security personnel during the search operation, to check if they were at home.
Reynold Thakuli, spokesperson for SANparks, added they also suspected the couple’s vehicle, a bakkie, might have become stuck somewhere due to recent rain and flooding in the north of the park.
“Many of the roads are still closed and we had more rain just last week. We even deployed a helicopter on Friday morning, but could not find the couple,” he said.
Their bodies were discovered later that day, however their vehicle has not yet been found.
The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are not yet known.
Mossel Bay Advertiser will update its readers once more information is provided.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.mosselbayadvertiser.com
