MBOMBELA, Mpumalanga – Police divers have recovered the bodies of two individuals from a vehicle that plunged into the Crocodile River in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:00 a.m. when the driver reportedly failed to stop at an intersection near University Road, close to the University of Mpumalanga. The vehicle crashed through a fence, traveled roughly 500 meters, and entered the crocodile- and hippo-infested waters.
Community members alerted authorities after hearing the crash. South African Police Service (SAPS) divers, emergency personnel, and law enforcement officers responded to the scene to conduct search and recovery operations.
Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed that divers located the submerged vehicle and identified two bodies inside. One is believed to be a male, consistent with descriptions provided by a family who arrived at the scene. The family stated their 20-year-old son had left the previous evening to watch a rugby match and had not returned home. They noted he had departed with two companions who later returned home safely.
“The divers confirmed there are two bodies inside the car,” Colonel Ndubane said. “However, they are uncertain whether the individuals were deceased upon entry into the water, as the vehicle’s sunroof was detached, raising the possibility that someone may have attempted to escape.”
Provincial diving coordinator Captain Johannes Potgieter described challenging conditions during the recovery operation. “The water is pitch black and extremely cold,” Captain Potgieter said. “One diver spent approximately 40 minutes underwater and nearly experienced hypothermia.”
Captain Potgieter noted that while no crocodiles or hippos were observed during the dive, the area is known to host both species. “We know this area very well. There is a large pod of hippos further upstream, and crocodiles are definitely present,” he said. “Fortunately, the cold water likely reduces their activity.”
Due to the vehicle’s severe damage and the victims being trapped inside, divers opted to recover the bodies by extracting the entire vehicle. A crane and tow truck were positioned on the riverbank to assist with the operation.
Captain Potgieter also addressed concerns about additional occupants. “If there were more people in the vehicle, the strong current could have carried them downstream,” he explained. “Divers searched the immediate area but found no other bodies. Once the vehicle is recovered, we will confirm the total number of occupants and determine if the search should continue.”
Counseling services were made available to the family on scene. Colonel Ndubane noted the emotional toll on the parents, particularly the father, who was visibly distressed. “As parents, they are facing a very sad moment,” Colonel Ndubane said. “They have many questions we cannot yet answer.”
Authorities confirmed that formal identification of the deceased will follow standard protocols through pathology services once the vehicle is brought to shore. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains ongoing.
