Two suspects have been arrested in Mozambique in connection with the brutal murder of South African tourists Ernst and Dina Marais in the far northern region of the Kruger National Park nearly two weeks ago.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp announced the breakthrough on Wednesday, confirming that the suspects had been apprehended through a joint cross-border operation involving Mozambique's Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC), the Wildlife Justice Commission, and Kruger National Park ranger services.
“We said that these criminals would be apprehended, and that is exactly what has happened,” Aucamp said.
According to the minister, the suspects have allegedly confessed to the crimes and the Ford Ranger belonging to the Marais couple has been recovered. South African authorities have now begun the process of securing the suspects' extradition to stand trial in South Africa.
Aucamp said he had engaged with the Departments of International Relations and Cooperation and Justice to emphasise the importance of bringing the suspects before a South African court.
The murders of Ernst Marais (71) and his wife Dina (73) shocked the country and attracted international attention. The couple, experienced visitors to the Kruger National Park, disappeared after travelling through the Pafuri region on 21 May.
The pair had entered the park on 17 May and were last seen at the Pafuri picnic site. Their cellphone communication reportedly ceased shortly afterwards.
When they failed to return to their accommodation, a search operation was launched. On 23 May, tourists reported seeing bodies near Crooks Corner, where the Luvuvhu and Limpopo rivers meet. Rangers and police responded and discovered the bodies of the couple, both of whom had suffered multiple stab wounds.
Their vehicle was missing, prompting police to open cases of murder and hijacking and launch a high-priority investigation.
Initial evidence suggested that the stolen vehicle may have crossed illegally into Mozambique through a vulnerable section of the border. Tyre tracks reportedly led in that direction, prompting close cooperation between South African and Mozambican authorities.
The incident was described by SANParks as unprecedented in the park's nearly 100-year history. Additional ranger deployments, monitoring resources and surveillance measures were introduced in parts of the northern Kruger following the attack.
Aucamp thanked SANParks, the South African Police Service, Mozambican authorities and conservation partners for their role in securing the arrests.
He reiterated that criminal activity would not be tolerated in South Africa's national parks and called on communities and law enforcement agencies to continue working together to protect the country's conservation areas.