Police have temporarily suspended the search for a missing South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member after human remains were discovered near the border between South Africa and Mozambique.
The soldier went missing on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, during a border patrol operation when a vehicle was swept away by strong floodwaters while attempting to cross a low-lying bridge over the Komati River following heavy rainfall.
A fellow soldier who was in the vehicle was tragically found dead the following day.
A multi-agency search operation involving helicopters, drones and divers was launched to locate the missing soldier. On Monday, December 29, 2025, the search team was alerted by a local fisherman who spotted human remains floating in the Komati River near Komatipoort.
Mpumalanga SAPS confirmed the discovery, saying:
“As the search continued at Komati River in Komatipoort on Monday, 29 December 2025, the team was alerted by a local fisherman about the remains of a person floating in the river. It was then confirmed that it was indeed the remains of a male person.”
Police said the remains were found close to the borderline between Mozambique and South Africa and are believed to be linked to the missing SANDF member.
“The remains, suspected to be those 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,” police said.
Authorities confirmed that the search has been temporarily halted following the discovery.
“For now, the search has been temporarily suspended, only to be continued by the Search and Rescue team on Tuesday, 30 December 2025,” police added.
Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli also confirmed that Defence Minister Angie Motshekga is expected to visit Komatipoort, where two SANDF members were swept away when their vehicle was carried off by floodwaters.
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star