MBOMBELA, MPUMALANGA – The search for Zenande Chiloane has ended in tragedy after his remains were recovered from the Crocodile River near Mbombela. The discovery concludes a desperate multi-day search after the vehicle plunged into the water, trapping the 21-year-old underneath the surface.
The fatal incident occurred earlier this month when a car carrying three people veered off and plunged into the river. While the others in the vehicle were accounted for, Chiloane remained missing, believed to be trapped underwater.
The breakthrough came on the tenth day of the search operation, following nine days of active searching. Captain Johannes Potgieter, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga police diving unit, detailed the recovery efforts. According to Captain Potgieter, the team utilized drones to scan the river from the morning. However, the drones were unable to see beneath the trees and reeds on the small islands formed by the river’s breaks.
“When the drone pilots came back and told us they couldn’t see under the trees in certain sections, we would go in and swim those areas,” Captain Potgieter explained. “We searched the island where they couldn’t see this morning, and while we were there, we managed to find him. He was stuck under a tree in the water.”
Captain Potgieter noted that the extremely cold water played a significant role in the prolonged search, as it kept the remains submerged for much longer than usual. However, the cold temperatures also helped preserve the body in good condition.
Following the recovery, the family was able to positively identify Chiloane. For the past several days, the grieving family had been camping on the riverbanks, holding prayer vigils and clinging to the hope that he might be trapped in the bushes and still alive. They are now reportedly in shock as they come to terms with the devastating news.
Captain Potgieter mentioned that he had not yet spoken directly to the family immediately following the discovery, as the scene was still chaotic and emergency personnel were still processing the recovery. The body is scheduled to undergo a postmortem examination. Authorities have officially opened a culpable homicide case, and investigators will continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
The recovery brings a sorrowful closure to a family that had prayed for a miracle, shifting their focus now to laying the young man to rest.
