The body of a 49-year-old man who allegedly fell ill while travelling on foot to Lesotho was recovered from the mountainous Upper Tugela area on Friday morning (February 20).

The man was last been seen on February 9, prompting a search operation after reports surfaced that a body had been spotted along the South Africa / Lesotho border.

Warrant Officer Jacques Meyer from the Ladysmith K9 Unit, assisted by the SAPS Air Wing, led the aerial search. An earlier attempt to locate the body had to be suspended due to poor weather conditions and limited information about the body’s exact location.

However, after new information emerged, the Air Wing was redeployed at first light, leading to the successful recovery.

Read original: Watch: Hero K9 cop on police helicopter, in race to find missing person

Police have opened an inquest docket.

No foul play is suspected at this stage and the deceased has not yet been formally identified.

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