Rising river levels hinder search for missing SANDF Soldier

An SAPS chopper searchers for missing SANDF member at the Nkomati river in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga.

The South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Diving Unit in Mpumalanga says it is getting difficult to search for the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member who remains missing as the river is again breaking its banks after Saturday night’s downpour.

The search entered its third day on Saturday.

The team will walk by the side of the river to continue with the operation while drones have also been deployed to search along Nkomazi River.

One body was recovered on Friday after the vehicle carrying two SANDF members was swept away at the lower bridge in Komatipoort.

The Unit’s Johannes Potgieter says, “The problem that we have now is as you can see the water is up and is much faster, running harder than the last two days because of the rain higher in Mpumalanga. So it’s making it difficult now because if let’s presume (the soldier) is deceased, so that means water will push the body further or if it is stuck under water we won’t see him. He will be stuck for a while because the forces of the water will keep him stuck under the rock or under a tree, all that is making life much more difficult for us to find him.”