South African authorities carried out a high-risk recovery operation after a man disappeared at a flooded river crossing and a large crocodile was later found and euthanized; officials say human remains were discovered inside the animal and samples have been sent for DNA testing. The case centers on a missing 59-year-old businessman from Gauteng whose vehicle was swept away near the Komati River, prompting an intensive search and a dramatic airlift of the reptile. Local police and a specialized task force tracked, observed and ultimately removed the crocodile after it exhibited behavior consistent with having recently fed.
The man was reported missing late last month after his Ford Ranger became stranded at a low-lying, flooded crossing near crocodile-infested waters. State media identified him as Gabriel Batista, who owned the Border Country Inn, which sits a short drive from the Komati River. Officials say the vehicle was carried off as he attempted to cross, triggering a weeklong search by local authorities.
After days of monitoring, investigators focused on a large crocodile believed to be in the area where the person washed off the bridge. Officers watched the animal for signs that it had eaten, noting prolonged inactivity and other indicators that can follow a major meal. Those observations, officials say, led the team to treat that particular reptile as a potential source of evidence in the disappearance.
The operation to recover the crocodile was described as dangerous and complex, involving a specialized tactical unit and aerial support. The animal was euthanized with the necessary permissions before it was secured, and a team member was lowered from a helicopter into crocodile-infested water to restrain and rope the animal. That rope allowed the creature to be hoisted out of the river and airlifted away for examination.
The recovery footage has circulated widely on social platforms, and the operation was also as authorities worked to remove the reptile safely. During a post-recovery examination, officials reported finding human remains in the animal’s stomach, along with six pairs of sandals. Those remains were removed and submitted for DNA testing to try to confirm whether they belong to the missing businessman or others in the region.
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SAPS Captain Johan “Pottie” Potgieter described the search and pointed to the crocodile’s proximity to where the person had been swept off the bridge. “During the search, we saw that this particular crocodile was only about 150 meters away from where the person had washed off the bridge. This crocodile stayed there the whole time. When the helicopter went over it, it wouldn’t move away,” Potgieter said. He added that the animal’s lack of movement was consistent with its having recently fed.
“We know from experience that if crocodiles have had a big meal, they’re not very active, and need to lie in the sun for their digestive system to start working.” That practical knowledge factored into the decision to monitor the reptile until the recovery team could act with authorization and caution. The team emphasized that the situation required careful coordination to protect personnel and preserve potential evidence.
Investigators note it is still unclear whether the sandals found in the crocodile relate to other missing people from nearby villages or camps. DNA test results are expected to shed light on the identity of the remains and whether they match the missing businessman from Gauteng. Until testing concludes, authorities are treating the findings as evidence in an ongoing inquiry into the disappearance and tragic recovery.
