The family of slain tourists Dina and Ernst Marais has welcomed the arrest of two suspects in Mozambique, describing the breakthrough as a source of comfort as they prepare to bury their loved ones on Thursday.
The arrests stem from an intensive investigation into the deaths of the Mossel Bay couple, Dina Marais (73) and Ernst Marais (71), whose bodies were found in the Kruger National Park last month.
Authorities say the breakthrough was made possible through close cooperation between Mozambique’s Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (Sernic), the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), and Kruger National Park Ranger Services.
The Wildlife Justice Commission is an international non-governmental organisation established to combat transnational criminal syndicates involved in wildlife, timber and fisheries trafficking. Founded in 2015, the organisation operates from its headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.
Sernic, Mozambique’s specialised criminal investigation agency, is responsible for probing serious and organised crime and played a key role in tracking down the suspects.
The Marais couple’s bodies were discovered in the Levubu River on 22 May, triggering a major investigation and raising fresh concerns about safety in the remote northern sections of the national park.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Dion George Aucamp confirmed that two men, aged 32 and 33, had been arrested in Mozambique in connection with the killings.
“We said that these criminals would be apprehended, and that is exactly what has happened,” Aucamp said.
“I would like to thank all of those who have worked tirelessly and collaboratively from the onset to secure this breakthrough.”
Family spokesperson Hjalmar van Gesselen said the arrests had provided some solace to relatives struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
“The news of the breakthrough comes as some relief for the family, who will lay the couple to rest on Thursday, 4 June. We heard over the weekend there were two suspects arrested and we knew the police were on the people’s trail. I must say the people of Parks Board, Border Patrol and the police have also notified and updated me,” he said.
With the suspects now behind bars, South African authorities have begun preparations to bring them back to the country to face prosecution.
Aucamp said the arrests were the culmination of a coordinated cross-border operation involving Sernic, the Wildlife Justice Commission and Kruger National Park Ranger Services. Rangers from the Nxanatseni (Far North) Region and the Pafuri Section were instrumental in the operation.
The minister confirmed that South Africa would now initiate formal extradition proceedings.
“South Africa will now start the formal extradition process to get the suspects to South Africa to stand trial for this heinous crime. I have engaged with my colleagues in the departments of International Relations and Cooperation and Justice to emphasise the importance of securing the suspects’ return to South Africa to face the full might of the law.”
He commended SANParks officials, members of the South African Police Service, Mozambican authorities and conservation partners for their contribution to the investigation.
Aucamp also stressed that criminal activity would not be tolerated within South Africa’s national parks and urged communities and law enforcement agencies to continue working together to protect these conservation areas.
“While the Marais family has suffered a devastating loss, I hope that these arrests will provide some measure of comfort to them as they continue to navigate this difficult journey,” he added.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe confirmed that investigators had positively connected the two Mozambican suspects to the murders.
Police said a major breakthrough occurred on 26 May when the couple’s stolen Ford Ranger double cab was located in Chókwè, Mozambique.
The discovery led investigators to a 32-year-old suspect, who was arrested in Chókwè on 1 June. A second suspect was apprehended the following day in Xai-Xai, the capital of Gaza province.
The arrests followed a comprehensive investigation launched after the couple was reported missing.
Dina and Ernst Marais were last seen on 20 May at the Pafuri Picnic Site in Kruger National Park before they disappeared.
A search operation was launched, and on 21 May their bodies were found near Crooks Corner, where the Levubu and Limpopo rivers converge in the far northern part of the park. The area falls within the Masisi policing precinct in Limpopo’s Vhembe District.
Initial investigations revealed that both victims had suffered multiple stab wounds.
Their vehicle had also been stolen, prompting police to open murder and hijacking cases.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said the suspects currently face two counts of murder and hijacking, although further charges could be added as the investigation continues.
The suspects are expected to appear in a court in Maputo on Thursday.
“The arrests mark a significant milestone in the investigation and demonstrate the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation in combating serious and violent crime. We extend our appreciation to the Mozambican law enforcement authorities, SANParks and all role players whose efforts contributed to this breakthrough,” Hadebe said.
