- A crane has been dispatched to assist in retrieving a South African National Defence Force (SANDF) vehicle.
- The vehicle was swept away by floodwaters at the lower bridge in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga.
- One SANDF member’s body was recovered on Friday, following the incident.
- Authorities suspect another member may still be trapped within or beneath the vehicle.
The incident occurred as the SANDF vehicle was overcome by water in the Nkomazi river. Police divers initiated search efforts, recovering one body on Friday. The search for the second missing SANDF member resumed on Saturday morning, with efforts intensifying to locate the individual. The South African Police Service (SAPS) Diving Service is leading the ongoing search operation, utilizing a helicopter from SAPS and another from Emergency Management Services (EMS).
Johannes Potgieter of the SAPS Diving Service expressed hope that the missing member might still be inside the vehicle, emphasizing that the next phase involves retrieving the vehicle. If the member is not found within the vehicle, search efforts will continue in the surrounding area. The incident highlights the dangers posed by severe weather conditions in the region and the risks faced by emergency personnel.
Timeline
- Friday: SANDF vehicle swept away in Komatipoort flood; one body recovered.
- Saturday, December 27, 2025, morning: Search for the second missing SANDF member resumed.
- Saturday, December 27, 2025, 14:43 SAST (12:43 UTC): Crane sourced for vehicle recovery, news reported.
Key Players
- South African National Defence Force (SANDF): Involved personnel and vehicle.
- South African Police Service (SAPS) Diving Service: Leading recovery and search operations.
- Johannes Potgieter: Representative of SAPS Diving Service.
- Emergency Management Services (EMS): Assisting with helicopter support.
