Body of Missing Traditional Healer Recovered from Crocodile River in Mpumalanga

Police divers have recovered the body of a missing traditional healer who disappeared in the Crocodile River, near Kanyamazane in Mpumalanga. The tragic discovery was made on the afternoon of 13 April, three days after the man was reported missing.

According to provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane, the incident occurred on 10 April, when the traditional healer and a prophet went to the river to conduct prayers and perform spiritual rituals.

“While they were performing the rituals, the prophet noticed that his companion had suddenly vanished,” said Ndubane. “He called out his name and searched the surrounding area but could not find him.”

The prophet later gathered their belongings and went to inform the traditional healer’s family about the incident. He then accompanied the man’s wife to the local police station to formally report the disappearance.

A search operation was immediately launched, involving members of the SAPS Diving Unit and other emergency services. After an extensive three-day search, the body of the traditional healer was finally retrieved from the river. Emergency medical services pronounced him dead at the scene.

In response to the incident, Acting Provincial Police Commissioner of Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, expressed his condolences and urged community members to exercise caution when conducting spiritual or religious activities near bodies of water.

“As we approach the Easter weekend, we appeal to the public to be extremely cautious when holding baptism ceremonies or rituals at rivers and dams. These areas are dangerous, and we often see a rise in drowning incidents during this time,” Mkhwanazi said.

He also warned against leaving personal belongings unattended during such activities, noting that a significant number of theft and robbery cases are reported under similar circumstances.