The body of a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member, whose vehicle was swept away in the flooding Nkomazi River in Komatipoort, has been recovered, provincial police confirmed.
The recovery operation was launched after a member of the public spotted the military vehicle submerged in the river and alerted a private ambulance service, which then notified the police early this morning.
In an interview, a police spokesperson detailed the difficult operation. “The river is full to its capacity,” the spokesperson said, noting that the area around the vehicle remains underwater. Police divers were initially unable to reach the site due to strong currents posing a significant danger.
The search effort was a joint operation involving the police’s diving unit, search and rescue teams, and SANDF counterparts who provided helicopter support. It was through this collaboration that the first soldier’s body was retrieved today.
Authorities have confirmed that two SANDF members were involved in the incident. The search for the second missing soldier has been suspended for the evening due to hazardous conditions and will resume at first light tomorrow.
“The operation has been suspended only to be continued tomorrow,” the spokesperson stated, expressing hope that progress will be made in locating the second individual. It remains unclear whether the missing member is still inside the vehicle or was swept away by the floodwaters.
Police have opened an inquest docket following the recovery of the first body. The public is advised that the situation remains dangerous, and operations are being conducted under extremely challenging circumstances.