South African National Parks (SANParks) says security measures are being strengthened in remote parts of the Kruger National Park following the deaths of a Mossel Bay couple in the park’s northern region.
Image used for illustrative purposes/Entropy1963/Wikimedia Commons
The bodies of Ernst and Dina Marais, aged 71 and 73, were discovered near a river in the Pafuri section of the park after the pair failed to return to camp earlier this week. A search operation was launched after staff noticed the couple had not come back from a day outing.
According to SANParks, the discovery was made on Friday, 22 May, after other visitors in the area alerted rangers. Their vehicle is still missing, while police are investigating cases of murder and hijacking.
The incident has sent shockwaves through South Africa’s tourism and conservation sectors. Kruger National Park, one of the country’s most visited wildlife destinations, has long been regarded as a safe self-drive safari destination for both local and international travellers.
In response, SANParks confirmed that additional security interventions are being rolled out in isolated areas of the park. Officials say visibility patrols and monitoring operations will be increased while investigations continue.
Reports suggest investigators are exploring whether the couple may have encountered criminal activity linked to poaching syndicates operating near the park’s northern border region, although authorities have not confirmed a motive.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has also expressed condolences to the victims’ family, describing the incident as deeply disturbing.
While the tragedy has raised renewed concerns around visitor safety in remote wilderness areas, SANParks has stressed that incidents of this nature remain extremely rare within the nearly century-old national park.
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