Mpumalanga police open inquest after 3 bodies discovered at Elukwatini game reserve

JOHANNESBURG - Police in Mpumalanga have opened an inquest after three bodies were discovered in the Nkomazi River at an undisclosed game reserve in Elukwatini.

The remains of the three Zimbabwean nationals were pulled from the river by divers on Friday.

They were reported missing by concerned community members when they failed to return home after heading to the nearby game reserve.

"The police took the complainants along with them to the game reserve. After communicating with the officials, police were informed about some individuals who frequently gain entry into the premises without authorisation.

"Further information indicated that, about a week ago, there were some people that were noticed at the game reserve but fled upon noticing the authorities and were never seen again," said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Donald Mdhluli.

Mdhluli said police searched the area and made the grim discovery shortly after, but the three were found without visible injuries.

"The acting provincial commissioner of the SAPS [South African Police Service] in Mpumalanga, Major-General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has since ordered for a thorough investigation into this shocking incident in order to unveil the truth of what has actually transpired, leading to the death of the three individuals."