A picture of the crocodile
Image: SUPPLIED
Human remains have been found inside a crocodile in the Komati River, with police believing they may belong to a missing businessman.
Police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the discovery was made near Komatipoort on Saturday.
Komatipoort is a small town in Mpumalanga on SA’s eastern border with Mozambique, near the Kruger National Park.
Masondo said a joint team made up of the SA Police Service Search and Rescue Unit, NatJoints, SANParks, Emergency Medical Services, Securecon and the local port management committee had been searching for the man for about a week.
Masondo said the Gauteng businessman, 59, had been reported missing after his Ford Ranger was found trapped at a low-lying bridge in the river.
Masondo said a crocodile was later identified during the search and was believed to have been involved in the incident.
“Following a week‑long search for the missing businessman, the team identified a crocodile in the river suspected to have carried out the attack," Masondo said.
"The necessary permission was obtained to euthanize the crocodile. It is then that the human remains were found and retrieved."
Masondo said DNA tests will be conducted to determine whether the remains are those of the missing businessman.
Video footage of the crocodile being hoisted out of the water by helicopter has since spread on social media.
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi praised the team for their efforts.
“I give honour to the dedicated team that has put their lives in danger to find the missing person. I know it was not easy, but they did not give up, even when they were faced with dangerous situation,” said Mkhwanazi.
IOL