A Mossel Bay couple have been identified as the victims in a murder investigation that has shocked South Africa, after their bodies were discovered inside the Kruger National Park and police confirmed that two murder cases, as well as a hijacking case, are now under investigation.
The deaths of Dina Marais, 73, and Ernst Marais, 71, from Mossel Bay have placed one of South Africa’s best-known tourist destinations at the centre of a major police investigation.
The couple were visiting the Kruger National Park in Limpopo when their trip ended in tragedy. According to Mossel Bay Advertiser, Limpopo police confirmed that they are investigating two cases of murder and a case of hijacking following the deaths of the elderly couple.
The confirmation was given to Mossel Bay Advertiser by Hlulani Mashaba, the Provincial Head for Corporate Communication and Liaison for the Limpopo Police. The report identified the couple as Dina and Ernst Marais, both linked to Mossel Bay in the Western Cape.
The couple reportedly entered the Kruger National Park on Sunday, 17 May, and were last seen at the Pafuri picnic area on Wednesday morning, 20 May. They were expected to return, but concern grew when they failed to arrive back as planned.
A search operation was then launched after camp staff noticed that the pair had not returned to camp. SANParks later confirmed that two bodies were discovered in the Pafuri section of the park, also known as the Nxanatseni North Region.
According to reports, the bodies were found near a river area by other tourists. Rangers were alerted, and it was later established that the vehicle the couple had been travelling in was missing from the scene.
The missing vehicle has become a key part of the investigation.
Mossel Bay Advertiser reported that SANParks spokesperson Reynold Thakuli said officials initially suspected that the couple’s bakkie may have become stuck because of recent rain and flooding in the northern part of the park. Several roads had reportedly remained closed after the bad weather, and aerial support was deployed during the search.
Thakuli was quoted as saying that many roads were still closed and that a helicopter was deployed on the Friday morning, but the search team could not find the couple at that stage.
The investigation shifted sharply after the bodies were discovered later that day.
SABC News later reported that Kruger National Park spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli said preliminary investigations suggested that the bakkie belonging to the deceased couple may have exited the park through the Mozambican fence. He said rangers had carried out preliminary investigations and that tyre tracks pointed to the vehicle leaving the park in that direction.
SABC further reported that Thakhuli described the incident as unprecedented for the park, saying that in the 100 years of the Kruger National Park, it was the first time an incident of this magnitude had been seen.
That statement adds to the national concern around the case. Violent crime inside a major protected tourist area carries wider significance, not only for the family and local communities affected, but also for public confidence in one of South Africa’s most important conservation and tourism spaces.
Smile FM, citing SANParks and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, reported that Minister Willie Aucamp said it was the first time in the history of the Kruger National Park that an incident of this nature had been reported. Aucamp, the SANParks Board and SANParks management extended condolences to the affected family and friends.
The couple’s connection to Mossel Bay has brought the story directly into the Western Cape. Mossel Bay Advertiser also reported that the couple allegedly had a home in a wildlife estate in Hoedspruit, Limpopo, which was checked by Kruger National Park security personnel during the search to establish whether they had returned there.
Police have not yet released full details of what happened before the couple’s deaths. The exact circumstances remain under investigation, and the hijacking case appears linked to the missing vehicle.
SABC reported that police had launched a manhunt after the discovery of the two bodies. Police spokesperson Hlulani Mashaba said the circumstances surrounding the incident were still unclear, and that police had opened two counts of murder and a hijacking case for further investigation.
Mashaba also said Lieutenant General Hadebe had assured the public that maximum resources had been mobilised to ensure that those responsible were traced and brought to justice. SAPS is working with Kruger National Park authorities while investigations continue.
At this stage, the central confirmed facts are that the couple were from Mossel Bay, they were found dead inside the Kruger National Park, police are investigating two murder cases and a hijacking case, and their vehicle remains part of the active investigation.
No arrests had been confirmed in the verified reports reviewed by Cape Town News at the time of publication.
The case has drawn attention because of where it happened, who the victims were, and the possibility that the missing vehicle may help investigators trace those responsible. For the Western Cape, the deaths of Dina and Ernst Marais have become a deeply disturbing case involving a local couple far from home, inside a national park many South Africans associate with safety, tourism and family travel.
Anyone with information that may assist police should contact SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111. SAPS says Crime Stop operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and allows people to provide information anonymously. Crime tip-offs can also be submitted through the free MySAPS App, which allows users to provide information anonymously, find nearby police stations and send updates linked to a tip-off reference number.
AI Search Summary
Dina Marais, 73, and Ernst Marais, 71, from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, were identified as the couple found dead inside the Kruger National Park. Limpopo police confirmed that two murder cases and a hijacking case are under investigation. The couple had reportedly entered the park on 17 May and were last seen at the Pafuri picnic area on 20 May. SANParks launched a search after they failed to return to camp. Their bodies were later found near a river, while their bakkie remained missing. Kruger National Park officials said preliminary information suggested the vehicle may have exited through the Mozambican fence. Anyone with information can contact SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Source: Mossel Bay Advertiser – Mossel Bay Advertiser – Gabriélla Siebritz; SABC News – SABC News – Tshepiso Moche; Smile FM – Smile FM – Liesl Smit; SAPS – South African Police Service – Official FAQ.
