A manhunt is currently in progress following the tragic deaths of two tourists who were fatally stabbed and their bodies discarded in waters known for being infested with crocodiles.
The victims, Ernst Marais, 71, and his wife Dina, 73, were on a trip to the Kruger National Park in the northeastern region of South Africa when they encountered poachers at an elephant crossing.
The elderly couple, who traveled approximately 1100 miles from their coastal residence, were staying close to the Parfuri Gate in the northern section of the game reserve. Concern arose when they did not return to their lodging on the evening of May 20.
Kruger National Park is a highly popular destination for tourists from both South Africa and abroad, with around one million visitors annually, including many from the UK, US, and Germany, seeking to observe the iconic big five animals: lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros, and buffalos.
The bodies of the couple were discovered by fellow tourists who were observing a herd of elephants at a viewing point. The victims were found floating in the river.
Crook’s Corner, an area where South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique converge at the confluence of the Limpopo and Luvhuvhu rivers, gained a historical reputation in the 1880s as a haven for criminal activities. It was notorious for harboring ivory poachers, arms smugglers, slave traders, and murderers, and was considered a hazardous location.
Evidence suggests that Ernst and Dina were bound with their hands behind their backs, repeatedly stabbed in the upper torso, and then dragged into the Limpopo River, also known as the “Crocodile River,” due to its large crocodile population.
Upon the discovery, South African National Park rangers and law enforcement were summoned to the crime scene.
Authorities had been searching for the missing couple since they were reported absent the previous Thursday morning.
A spokesperson from Kruger National Park commented, expressing shock at the unprecedented tragedy and hoping it would not deter tourists from visiting the park due to safety concerns.
Law enforcement is investigating two counts of murder and one of hijacking in connection with the incident, with no suspects currently in custody.
A police insider in South Africa speculated that the couple may have inadvertently encountered a group of poachers who killed them to avoid detection.
South Africa boasts the largest rhino population globally and is a hotspot for rhino poaching due to the demand for their valuable horns rich in keratin.
Despite ongoing anti-poaching efforts, poaching continues to be a significant challenge, as highlighted by data showing 352 rhinos poached in the country between January and December 2025.
The police source mentioned the possibility that the couple’s vehicle could have been used by smugglers to transport illicit goods, with potential routes leading across the river to Mozambique.
Authorities have launched an extensive manhunt, focusing on the assumption that the perpetrators have fled the Kruger National Park.
