Authorities in South Africa are investigating whether poachers killed the couple and stole their vehicle.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, South Africa — A retired South African couple visiting Kruger National Park were found stabbed to death after disappearing during a sightseeing trip, prompting a major murder investigation and a search for suspects believed to have fled with the victims’ vehicle.
Ernst Marais, 71, and his wife Dina Marais, 73, disappeared May 20 after leaving their holiday accommodation in the northern section of the park. Their bodies were discovered two days later near a river area known for crocodiles close to the Mozambique border. Authorities believe the killings may be linked to poaching or smuggling activity operating in remote parts of the reserve. South African police and park officials said investigators are pursuing several leads while security patrols in the area have been increased.
The couple, who lived in Mossel Bay on South Africa’s southern coast, had traveled more than 1,100 miles for a weeklong safari vacation. According to park officials, they were last seen Wednesday afternoon near a picnic area in the Pafuri section of Kruger National Park. Staff became concerned when the pair failed to return to their accommodation that evening, and a search operation began the following morning. Rangers, police officers and local search teams combed roads and bushland across the northern reaches of the park before tourists spotted two bodies near the junction of the Limpopo and Levubu rivers Friday. Officials later confirmed the victims were the missing couple. A senior park official said investigators believe the attack was “extremely brutal” and unlike anything previously recorded inside the century-old reserve.
Police said both victims suffered multiple stab wounds and their hands appeared to have been tied behind their backs. Investigators also confirmed that the couple’s four-wheel-drive vehicle remains missing. Officials suspect the vehicle may have been used to transport poached wildlife products or smuggled goods through isolated crossing points near Mozambique. Security teams reviewed footage from park gates and border checkpoints but said the vehicle did not pass through any official exits. Rangers later found tire tracks leading through bush terrain and damaged fencing near a remote border section, although authorities have not publicly confirmed whether the vehicle crossed into Mozambique. South African police have not announced arrests or identified suspects. Officials cautioned that several details remain under investigation, including whether the couple directly witnessed poaching activity before they were attacked.
Kruger National Park covers nearly 7,600 square miles and is considered one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves. The park attracts nearly 2 million visitors each year, many of whom drive through the reserve without guides. The northern section where the killings occurred borders both Mozambique and Zimbabwe and has long presented challenges for anti-poaching operations because of difficult terrain and remote crossings. Rhino poaching syndicates have operated across the region for years, and park authorities have repeatedly expanded ranger patrols, aerial monitoring and surveillance technology to limit illegal hunting. Despite those concerns, violent attacks on tourists inside the park itself are exceptionally rare. South African National Parks officials said no comparable incident involving tourists had previously been recorded in the reserve’s 100-year history. The killings immediately raised concerns about visitor safety and the possible impact on tourism in one of South Africa’s most recognizable destinations.
South African Police Service investigators are handling the case as both a murder and vehicle hijacking inquiry. Officials said forensic teams have been deployed to the crime scene and nearby road networks while investigators continue tracing the missing vehicle. Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Willie Aucamp described the case as shocking and said the government would support efforts to identify those responsible. Park authorities announced additional ranger deployments and expanded surveillance operations in the northern sector following the discovery. Police have also increased cooperation with border officials and neighboring law enforcement agencies because of the possibility that suspects crossed into Mozambique. Authorities have not yet announced when autopsy findings will be released or whether investigators recovered physical evidence from the river area. Officials said updates would be provided after investigators complete additional interviews and evidence analysis in the coming days.
Neighbors and longtime visitors to the park described the Maraises as experienced safari travelers who frequently visited wildlife reserves across South Africa. One resident from the couple’s retirement community said police officers first arrived at their home hoping the pair had returned unexpectedly from their trip before the bodies were identified. “They were a lovely couple who loved going on safari,” the neighbor said. Park officials also said family members told investigators the couple carefully followed park safety rules and were familiar with driving conditions inside reserves. Tourists visiting the northern region this weekend said news of the killings spread quickly among campsites and viewing areas, leaving many visitors shaken. Rangers continued patrols near the river area while tourists gathered at lookout points overlooking elephant crossings and watering holes not far from where the bodies were found. Authorities emphasized that the investigation remains active and urged the public to avoid speculation while detectives continue gathering evidence.
The investigation remained ongoing Monday as police searched for the missing vehicle and worked to identify suspects. Authorities said additional security measures would remain in place across northern sections of Kruger National Park while investigators prepare further updates expected later this week.