South African police officer lowered into crocodile-infested river to recover human remains
DNA testing will confirm whether the remains belong to the missing 59-year-old businessman after police recovered body parts from a euthanized crocodile.
- On Saturday, May 2, 2026, authorities from the South African Police Service recovered human remains from a crocodile in the Komati River, believed to be those of a 59-year-old Gauteng businessman reported missing last month.
- The search began after the businessman's Ford Ranger was discovered trapped on a low-lying bridge in Komatipoort, prompting a week-long operation by the SAPS Search and Rescue Unit and NatJoints.
- Following necessary authorization, the team euthanized the crocodile and retrieved the remains from its intestines, Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo stated.
- Acting Provincial Police Commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi commended the multi-disciplinary team for their persistence, while DNA analysis is underway to confirm the victim's identity.
- Authorities continue investigating the full circumstances surrounding the disappearance as the grim discovery has shocked the local community and added a tragic dimension to the case.
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The man was dragged by the current after attempting to cross a bridge in the middle of a flood, in an area with the usual presence of these reptiles.
South African hotelier found dead inside crocodile after being swept away in flood
A South African hotel owner is feared to have been eaten by a massive crocodile measuring 15 feet in length after human remains were discovered inside the animal's swollen body.Gabriel Batista, 59, vanished approximately a week ago when his four-wheel-drive car became stranded while attempting to traverse the Komati River in the country's north-eastern region.The businessman was reportedly carried away by surging floodwaters during the crossing …
Police officer dangles from helicopter to retrieve human remains from crocodile-filled river
A dramatic scene straight out of a movie is making waves online after footage showed a police officer being suspended from a helicopter above a crocodile-filled river. According to the BBC, it all began when a businessman in South Africa was believed to have been swept away while attempting to cross a flooded bridge near the Komati River. Authorities came to suspect that a crocodile may also have been involved in the man's disappearance. In a vi…
South African police investigate whether a 4.5-meter crocodile devoured Gabriel Batista, a 59-year-old businessman dragged by the floods in Mpumalanga, after finding human remains inside the animal.Keep reading...
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