Police at Elukwatini, in Mpumalanga, are investigating an inquest case following the retrieval of the bodies of three men from the Nkomazi River.
Provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said the bodies of the three men were retrieved by SA Police Service (SAPS) divers at a game reserve in Elukwatini on Friday.
The retrieved bodies, according to police, had no visible injuries.
“According to a (police) report, on the said Friday, concerned people residing with the three men reported them as missing at Elukwatini SAPS. The complainants indicated that the three had informed them that they were heading to the game reserve, but strangely, they never returned,” said Mdhluli.
Investigating police officers took the complainants and headed to the game reserve.
At the game reserve, police officers were informed by officials that certain individuals frequently gain entry into the premises without authorization.
“Further information indicated that, about a week ago, there were some people that were noticed at the game reserve, but (the trespassers) fled upon noticing the authorities and were never seen again,” said Mdhluli.
Police officers then continued with their investigations around the premises, and noticed three bodies floating in the Nkomazi River.
“The SAPS team from search and rescue, as well as divers, were summoned to the scene. The three bodies were retrieved from the river, hence an inquest case is being probed in order to establish the cause of death,” said Mdluli.
At the game reserve, police officers were informed by officials that certain individuals frequently gain entry into the premises without authorization.
Police said a postmortem will be conducted, and the identities of the three men will be shared in due course, once their next of kin are notified.
“Preliminary investigation by the police has thus far revealed that the men are originally from Zimbabwe,” said Mdhluli.
Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi has since ordered a thorough investigation into the “shocking incident” to unveil the truth of what has actually transpired, leading to the death of the three individuals.
The 52-year-old hunter had reportedly paid Coernraad Vermaak Safaris around R177,221 for the trip in which he planned to stalk and kill wild animals in the expedition.
“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. While on ahuntingsafari with us in Limpopo province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo.
American millionaire Asher Watkins poses wth one of his kills before the tables turned on him and he was gored to death by a Cape buffalo during a hunting trip.
“He was tracking it together with one of our professionalhuntersand one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones,” said the safari’s Hans Vermaak in a statement.
The safari said Cape buffalo have some of the most fearsome reputations on the planet.
“Responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year, the buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa, let alone the world,” the safari said on its website.
Caleb Gabriel Pillai, known to most as Caleb Don’t Pillai, is a name that has been steadily gaining traction in both the music and social media worlds.Contrary to what some might assume, his middle name is not “Don’t.”He explained, “My middle name is not ‘Don’t.’ It is Gabriel.”Born and raised in Phoenix, Durban, Pillai spent a brief time in Clare Estate, where he attended school in town. Music was Pillai’s first […]
