SANParks has heightened its security measures following the brutal murder of a retired Mossel Bay couple in the Kruger National Park last week, the first such incident in the Park’s 100-year history.

The bodies of the 71-year-old Ernst and 73-year-old Dina Marais were found floating at the intersection of the Levubu and Limpopo rivers near Crooks’ Corner in the Pafuri section of the park on Friday afternoon, 22 May. They had been stabbed multiple times, and their vehicle was missing.

READ: Kruger Park victims were an elderly Mossel Bay couple

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucump, phoned the family to convey his condolences on Sunday. Members of the SANParks Board, Executive Management and SAPS senior management also visited the next of kin to extend condolences and offer support.

The family shared that the couple were long-standing and deeply committed visitors to Kruger. They strictly adhered to park rules and would never have placed themselves at risk by exiting their vehicle where it was prohibited.

SANParks Head of Communications JP Louw says gate security cameras have confirmed that the couple’s missing vehicle did not exit through any of the nine access gates or the two international border posts into Mozambique.

“In the vicinity of the crime scene, KNP rangers followed what they believed to be tyre tracks of the missing vehicle. The tracks point to a vehicle that was driven through the bush, over the fence and into Mozambique. There is, however, no confirmation that the tracks are of the missing vehicle.”

Louw says while the police investigation continues, SANParks is implementing additional risk mitigation measures across specific areas of concern in the Nxanatseni North Region.

This includes deploying additional monitoring and ranger resources in specific areas of concern and enhancing technology systems to strengthen surveillance and early warning capabilities.

Louw has emphasised that across its vast landscape, Kruger National Park remains a very safe area to visit and work in with effective security protocols that remain in place.

“We again extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. Out of respect for the family and to protect the integrity of the investigation, SANParks will not provide further comments at this stage.”

Limpopo police Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba says there have been no further developments in the case, as of Monday morning, and the investigation continues.