Kruger National Park Tightens Security After Tourist Deaths
South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced plans to strengthen security in remote areas of Kruger National Park following the discovery of two tourists' bodies near a river in the park's northern section. The deceased have been identified as Dina Marais, 73, and Ernst Marais, 71, from Mossel Bay.
The couple was reported missing after they failed to return to their camp on Thursday evening. Park rangers launched a search operation that included ground teams and aerial support. Their bodies were found on Friday near a river, according to SANParks spokesperson Reynold Thakuli, who spoke to reporters at Skukuza on Sunday.
Thakuli described the incident as unprecedented in the park's 100-year history, saying, "We've never really seen this kind of incident." He extended condolences to the family and friends of the couple.
Investigation and Missing Vehicle
The couple's vehicle, a bakkie (pickup truck), has not been found. Initially, investigators considered that the vehicle might have been swept away during heavy rains and flooding that affected the area. However, an extensive search, including aerial support, failed to locate the vehicle.
"Many roads remained closed due to the weather, and we deployed aerial support to locate the vehicle, but our search yielded no results," Thakuli said.
The vehicle's disappearance has led Limpopo police to broaden their investigation to include possible hijacking. Police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba confirmed that an investigation has been opened. Forensic teams are processing the scene, and detectives are continuing their search.
Tyre tracks found near the scene suggest that the vehicle may have exited the park through a fence into neighboring Mozambique, though this has not been confirmed. The vehicle did not leave through any official gate, according to park officials.
The couple was last seen alive on Wednesday morning at the Pafuri picnic site in the north of the park. They also owned a property in a wildlife estate in Hoedspruit, which investigators searched during the operation but found no one there.
Security Measures and Reactions
In response to the incident, SANParks is reassessing security in remote sections of the park. "We have really high-class security technology that we are using within the park, but this incident has actually given us another process that we need to look at," Thakuli said, indicating that additional measures would be implemented.
The park's management has not released details of the new security protocols but emphasized their commitment to visitor safety.
The news has drawn attention to safety concerns in the park, which is one of South Africa's premier tourist destinations. The incident marks a rare tragedy in the park's history, which is more commonly associated with wildlife encounters than criminal activity.
Authorities have urged anyone with information about the case to come forward as the investigation continues.