Mpumalanga – An inquest is underway after the bodies of three Zimbabwean men were discovered floating in the Nkomazi River, at a game reserve in Elukwatini, in Mpumalanga. The grim discovery was made on Friday, leaving authorities and the local community searching for answers.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) at Elukwatini are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths, which are currently being treated as an inquest case. Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, confirmed that SAPS divers retrieved the bodies of the three men.
Adding to the mystery, police have stated that the retrieved bodies bore no visible injuries, leaving the cause of death undetermined pending further investigation.
The events leading up to the discovery began when concerned individuals, residing with the three men, reported them missing at the Elukwatini SAPS. "The complainants indicated that the three had informed them that they were heading to the game reserve, but strangely, they never returned," said Mdhluli.
Prompted by the missing persons report, investigating police officers accompanied the complainants to the game reserve. There, they learned from game reserve officials that unauthorised entry into the premises was a recurring issue.
"Further information indicated that, about a week ago, there were some people that were noticed at the game reserve, but (the trespassers) fled upon noticing the authorities and were never seen again," Mdhluli revealed.
Continuing their search of the area, police officers made the unsettling discovery of three bodies floating in the Nkomazi River. The SAPS search and rescue team, along with divers, were immediately summoned to the scene to recover the bodies.
"The SAPS team from search and rescue, as well as divers, were summoned to the scene. The three bodies were retrieved from the river, hence an inquest case is being probed in order to establish the cause of death," said Mdluli.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted to determine the cause of death. Police have stated that the identities of the three men will be released once their next of kin have been notified.
"Preliminary investigation by the police has thus far revealed that the men are originally from Zimbabwe," said Mdhluli.
Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, the acting provincial commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the "shocking incident." He has tasked investigators with uncovering the truth behind the deaths of the three men.
"The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS [South African Police Service] in Mpumalanga, Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has since ordered for a thorough investigation into this shocking incident in order to unveil the truth of what has actually transpired, leading to the death of the three individuals," said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli.
The case has drawn attention to the dangers associated with unauthorised entry into game reserves, and the potential risks faced by individuals who may be trespassing in these areas.
The discovery of the bodies in the Nkomazi River comes shortly after another incident involving a foreign national and wild animals in South Africa. Earlier this month, IOL reported the tragic death of Asher Watkins, a millionaire from the United States of America, who was gored to death by a buffalo he was hunting in Limpopo.
The 52-year-old hunter had reportedly paid Coernraad Vermaak Safaris around R177,221 for the trip, during which he planned to stalk and kill wild animals.
"It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. While on a hunting safari with us in Limpopo province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo," said the safari's Hans Vermaak in a statement.
The safari company noted the inherent dangers of hunting such formidable animals. "Responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year, the buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa, let alone the world," the safari said on its website.
While the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the three Zimbabwean men in Mpumalanga remain unclear, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers present in and around wild animal habitats. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are appealing to anyone with information that may assist in the case to come forward.
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