Komatipoort bridge incident: Missing man identified, DNA tests underway

A 59-year-old man who went missing after his Ford Ranger was partially swept off a bridge in Komatipoort on April 27 has been identified as Gabriel Batista. Lowvelderreportsthat he is the owner of Border Country Inn and reportedly lives in Gauteng. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo says DNA tests are being conducted to confirm whether thehuman remains found in a crocodilebelong to Batista.

According to Captain Pottie Potgieter of the Ehlazeni Diving Unit, the deceased is believed to have drowned and was later consumed by a crocodile. Potgieter has since been praised by acting national police commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane for his bravery during one of his most dangerous search-and-rescue missions. Breaking news at your fingertips…Follow Caxton Network News onFacebookand join ourWhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak.Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus opFacebooken sluit aan by onsWhatsApp-kanaal.