Maputo, 5 Jun (AIM) – The South African authorities have announced that two suspects involved in the murder of Mossel Bay couple Dina and Ernst Marais, in the Kruger National Park, nearly two weeks ago, have been arrested in Mozambique.
The arrests followed coordinated cross-border operations involving the South African Police Service (SAPS), Mozambican law enforcement authorities, SANParks, Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) , the Wildlife Justice Commission and Kruger National Park ranger services.
According to Willie Aucamp, South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, cited by the South African outlet “Mail e Guardian”, the authorities will now start the formal extradition process to get the suspects to South Africa to stand trial “for this heinous crime.”
“We said that these criminals would be apprehended and that is exactly what has happened,” said Aucamp. We thank all those involved for their tireless and collaborative efforts in securing the breakthrough”, the minister said.
Police said the victims, aged 71 and 73, were reported missing after last being seen on 20 May at the Pafuri picnic site. Their bodies were discovered on 21 May near the remote Crooks Corner, at the confluence of the Limpopo and Levubu rivers in the Vhembe District.
Both had sustained multiple stab wounds. Their murders were the first of its kind in the park’s 100-year history. A murder and hijacking investigation was opened after their vehicle, a Ford Ranger double cab, was reported missing. It was recovered in Mozambican district of Chókwè, on 26 May.
The recovery led to the arrest of the first suspect in Chókwè on 1 June and a second suspect in Xai-Xai, Gaza province, on 2 June. Both suspects, Mozambican nationals aged 32 and 33, have reportedly confessed to the crimes, authorities say.
The suspects are expected to appear in court in Maputo, while South Africa is preparing extradition proceedings to take them to trial locally.
The suspects face two counts of murder and hijacking. Additional charges could be added as investigations continue.
While acknowledging the “devastating loss” suffered by the Marais family, the minister expressed hope that the arrests would provide some measure of comfort to them.
Am/
