A major police manhunt is actively underway in South Africa following the grim discovery of two tourist bodies in the northern section of the Kruger National Park. The bodies, identified as a 71-year-old white man and a white woman from Mossel Bay, were found on Friday, 22 May, at Crooks Corner. This remote area is situated at the intersection of the Levubu and Limpopo Rivers, marking the convergence of the South African, Zimbabwean, and Mozambican borders, and falls within the Pafuri section (Nxanatseni North Region) of the park.

The gruesome find was made by fellow tourists exploring the vicinity, who promptly alerted SANParks rangers. Preliminary investigations have revealed that both victims sustained fatal stab wounds to their upper bodies. Authorities suspect a violent attack linked to a hijacking, as the green Ford Ranger double cab the couple had been traveling in was missing from the scene. Police have initiated a double murder and hijacking investigation.

The alarm was initially raised the previous evening, Thursday, 21 May, when camp staff grew concerned after the tourists failed to return to their accommodation. A search operation was then launched, leading to the discovery of the bodies near a river area the following day. The couple had entered the park on Sunday, 17 May, and were last seen on Wednesday morning at the Pafuri picnic site.

In response to the tragedy, Thembi Hadebe, the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, has assembled a dedicated team of senior investigators to spearhead the case. Police have deployed extensive resources in their efforts to trace and apprehend those responsible. Various law enforcement agencies, including the South African Police Service (SAPS), emergency services, SANParks, and the Border Management Authority, were present at the scene to assist with the investigation.

The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Willie Aucamp, expressed his shock and sadness over the incident. He confirmed that he had engaged with SANParks leadership to ensure full cooperation with police investigators. Both SANParks and the Department extended their sincere condolences to the victims' family, noting that SANParks would assist the family with travel to Limpopo, as well as accommodation and repatriation arrangements. Minister Aucamp described the incident as