By Palesa Matlala
- Police found human remains inside a crocodile taken from the Komati River, with investigators believing the body could be that of a missing businessman.
- Captain Johan Potgieter risked his safety to remove the animal from dangerous waters, earning praise from Acting National Police Commissioner Puleng Dimpane.
A chilling discovery in Mpumalanga has shocked police and residents after human remains were found inside a crocodile.
The animal was removed from the Komati River in Komatipoort, a town near the border with Mozambique and close to the Kruger National Park.
Police believe the remains could belong to a businessman who went missing on Saturday, 2 May.
The crocodile had already been put down before it was taken out of the river. Police and other experts then recovered the remains during their investigation.
Captain Johan Potgieter, also known as Pottie, took on the dangerous task of retrieving the crocodile from the water.
The Komati River is known for having many crocodiles, making the operation risky.
Acting National Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane praised Potgieter for his actions.
She said he showed bravery, selflessness and a high level of dedication to his work.
His efforts helped police move forward with their investigation into the missing man.
The remains will now undergo testing to confirm the identity.
Police are still investigating as they try to understand what happened.
The discovery has raised concern among people living in the area, where the river is already known as a dangerous place.
Pictured above: crocodile removed from Komati River image source South African Police Service
Image source: Supplied
This story was updated.
