SA wanted Mozambican murder suspect arrested in Zimbabwe

The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed the arrest of a third suspect linked to the brutal murder of a South African couple in the Kruger National Park last month, marking a major breakthrough in a cross-border investigation involving law enforcement agencies from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

In a statement issued on Friday, Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane hailed the arrest as evidence of the effectiveness of regional policing cooperation in tackling transnational crime.

The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Mozambican national Macandze Lionel da Marta, was arrested in Zimbabwe after allegedly fleeing Mozambique in an attempt to evade capture.

According to SAPS, two other suspects connected to the murders were arrested in Mozambique on June 1 and June 2 during an operation that also led to the recovery of the couple's stolen vehicle.

Da Marta is expected to be deported to Mozambique, where he will join his alleged accomplices in facing charges related to the killings.

The victims were identified as Dina Marais, 73, and her husband Ernst Marais, 71, from Mossel Bay.

The couple had travelled to the Kruger National Park on May 17 to celebrate Dina's birthday.

They were reported missing after failing to return from a visit to the Pafuri picnic site in the northern section of the park.

A search operation was launched and, on May 22, the couple's bodies were discovered floating near Cross Corner along the banks of the Levubu River close to its confluence with the Limpopo River.

Investigators established that the couple's green Ford Ranger double-cab bakkie was missing, prompting police to open a double murder and hijacking investigation.

Police said Ernst Marais suffered multiple stab wounds to his upper body, while Dina Marais also sustained severe injuries allegedly inflicted with a sharp object.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 31st Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) Chiefs of Police Meeting in Malawi, Lieutenant General Dimpane said the latest arrest demonstrated the strength of regional law enforcement partnerships.

"This successful arrest underscores the strength of regional policing cooperation. Through SARPCCO, SADC member countries continue to share intelligence, coordinate operations and support one another in ensuring that criminals have no safe haven within our region," she said.

Dimpane praised the collaboration between SAPS, Mozambique's Criminal Investigation Directorate (SERNIC), the Zimbabwe Republic Police and South African National Parks (SANParks), saying it highlighted the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated operations in combating organised and cross-border crime.

"Our message is clear: criminals will be pursued across borders, and through collective regional efforts, will be brought before the courts to answer for their crimes," she said.

Authorities have indicated that investigations remain ongoing and have not yet released additional details regarding the motive behind the killings or the circumstances leading to the attack.

The arrests are expected to provide investigators with critical information as they continue to build the case surrounding one of the most shocking crimes to occur in the Kruger National Park in recent years.