Police diving unit retrieve body from Crocodile River

The unit was called out to the Lowveld Botanical Garden before 07:00 following a call to the SAPS about a potential drowning by the botanical garden management.

The garden’s estate manager, Carona Mathipa, said two staff members were sitting at the bridge near the entrance to the garden on Friday afternoon when they heard a splash.

“They went to see what was happening and said they saw a man struggling in the water.

“He went down and didn’t come back up. “The staff were so traumatised, they could barely talk. There was nothing they could do to help the man and it is not easy for them,” said Mathipa. He said once they had spoken to these personnel, they rushed to the scene, but could not see anything and immediately called the police.

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The diving unit was called out the next morning and, under the watchful eye of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency, which was armed with guns lest any crocodiles or hippos appear, it searched the water for the body.

After less than an hour, the team recovered the body of a well-dressed man. The man was said to have had no ID on him, but was in possession of a bank card, many R100 notes and earphones. Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Col Donald Mdluli said according to the report, security officials noticed people making some movements around the botanical garden.

He said searches at the time were unsuccessful and that the diving unit was called the next day to continue the search. “Later one was found in the river where he was certified dead by the paramedics,” said Mdluli. “The police are investigating an inquest to determine the cause of death as well as the circumstances surrounding it.” ALSO READ: SACBW Nelspruit celebrates ambassadors