Two suspects have been arrested in Mozambique in connection with the brutal murders of a Mossel Bay couple who were killed in the Kruger National Park two weeks ago.
Dina (73) and Ernst (71) Marais, who were celebrating Dina’s birthday at the park, were murdered on 20 May near the Pafuri picnic site in the far northern section of the reserve. Their bodies were discovered two days later floating in the Levubu River near its intersection with the Limpopo River.
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, confirmed on Wednesday that the suspects were apprehended through a cross-border operation involving Mozambican authorities and South African conservation officials.
“We said that these criminals would be apprehended, and that is exactly what has happened,” Aucamp said. “I would like to thank all of those who have worked tirelessly and collaboratively from the onset to secure this breakthrough.”
The arrests resulted from cooperation between Mozambique’s Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC), the Wildlife Justice Commission and Kruger National Park Ranger Services, led by the regional ranger for the Nxanatseni region and rangers from the Pafuri section.
According to the minister, the suspects have confessed to the crimes and the couple’s vehicle, a green Ford Ranger double-cab bakkie, has been recovered.
South Africa will now begin formal extradition proceedings to bring the suspects back to face trial.
“I have engaged with my colleagues in the departments of International Relations and Cooperation and Justice to emphasise the importance of securing the suspects’ return to South Africa to face the full might of the law,” Aucamp said.
The Marais couple, who were retired and lived in Mossel Bay, had entered the Kruger National Park on 17 May for what was meant to be a celebratory trip. Ernst and his wife where regular visitors to the park and owned a property in Hoedspruit due to their love of the bushveld.
When the couple failed to return to their camp on the evening of 20 May, SANParks initiated a search operation. Tourists discovered their bodies the following day.
Police investigations revealed that the couple had been tied up, dragged into bushes and repeatedly stabbed in the upper body.
The South African Police Service opened cases of double murder and hijacking, with Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe mobilising a team of experienced investigators to track the suspects.
SANParks noted that no such incident had been recorded in the reserve’s 100-year history.
The suspects are believed to have links to rhino poaching networks that have plagued the park for years.
Aucamp expressed appreciation to personnel at SANParks, the South African Police Service, Mozambican authorities and conservation partners for their work in securing the arrests.
“While the Marais family has suffered a devastating loss, I hope that these arrests will provide some measure of comfort to them as they continue to navigate this difficult journey,” he said.
The minister reiterated that criminal activity would not be tolerated in South Africa’s national parks and called on communities and law enforcement agencies to continue working together to safeguard protected areas.
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