Remains found believed to be body of missing SANDF soldier

The search for the missing SANDF solider who was swept away in the Komati River during a Christmas Day patrol appears to be over. 

A body has been recovered, suspected to be that of the missing SANDF soldier. 

"As the search continued at Komati river in Komatipoort today, Monday December 29, 2025, the team was alerted by a local fisherman about the remains of a person floating in the river," the SANDF said.

"It was then confirmed that it was indeed the remains of a male person," the SANDF said in a statement. 

"The remains, suspected to be that of the missing SANDF member, were found next to the borderline between Mozambique and South Africa. An inquest case has been registered where DNA tests will be conducted to determine the identity of the person. For now, the search has been temporarily suspended, only to be continued by the Search and Rescue team on Tuesday, 30 November 2025."

IOL earlier reported the man was one of two soldiers who were swept away on Christmas Day when their patrol vehicle was caught by strong currents in a flooded section of the Komati River during Operation Corona, the SANDF’s ongoing border safeguarding mission.

Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli said the pair attempted to cross a flooded river during border control operations in the area.

IOL News