The death of a 74-year-old man whose body was found near a hiking trail in the Augrabies National Park in the Northern Cape is under investigation.
The citizenship of the deceased, Schalk de Witt, is still being verified, said Colonel Cherelle Ehlers, police spokesperson in the Northern Cape.
She said on Monday 16 March, officials of the South African National Parks (SANParks) were made aware of a visitor who failed to return after he allegedly left for one of the hiking trails in the park. The South African Police Service (SAPS) was immediately alerted and a comprehensive search operation within the park was initiated.
Members of the police stationed in Augrabies, Upington Search and Rescue, Upington K9 unit and SANParks rangers conducted a search.
With authorisation from park management, the family of the missing tourist also arranged an aerial and additional ground search on 18 March, said Genevieve Maasdorp, regional communications manager of SANParks Arid Region.
During the search, his body was located off the Dassie Trail. The SAPS coordinated the recovery of the body, and the matter and cause of death have been referred to the relevant forensic authorities for further investigation.
SANParks extends its sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased.
The matter has been handed over to the SAPS for further processing.
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