A human head, believed to belong to a missing member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), was discovered today, Monday, December 29.

According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, the remains were found by a local fisherman in the Nkomazi River, situated within the “no man’s land” strip between South Africa and Mozambique.

Grim Discovery Near the Border

The fisherman spotted the remains floating in a remote section of the river. Authorities confirmed that, at this stage, only a head has been recovered.

The police Search and Rescue team, including the Ehlanzeni Diving Unit, was immediately dispatched to the scene.

The remains were located on the riverbank, not far from where the soldiers’ patrol vehicle was recently retrieved.

Investigators noted that because no other body parts have been found, they strongly suspect the soldier may have been targeted by crocodiles known to inhabit the area.

Background on the Christmas Day Tragedy

This discovery follows the tragic events of Christmas Day, when two soldiers were swept away by raging floodwaters while attempting to cross a low-lying bridge.

The members were conducting a routine patrol for Operation Corona, South Africa’s border protection mission.

• December 25: The soldiers’ vehicle was overwhelmed by the flooded Nkomazi River.
• December 26: The body of the first SANDF member was recovered on Friday December 26 .
• December 29: The recovery of the remains believed to be the second soldier brings a grim development to the multi-day search operation.