A dog was rescued from the Crocodile River near Matsulu outside Mbombela on January 20, after becoming stranded on a small island and later being swept into the fast-flowing water.
According to the deputy chairperson of the SPCA Nelspruit, Lize Pienaar, they responded after receiving a call and video footage from a resident who spotted the distressed dog on the island. Inspector Michelle Steyn and field officer Edwell Khumalo were dispatched to the remote location.
Pienaar said the rescue posed serious risks. “The water depth was unknown, the current unpredictable, and the area is a known habitat for crocodiles and hippos,” she said.
They contacted multiple emergency services for assistance, including local search-and-rescue teams, but due to the dangerous conditions and the isolated location, none were able to reach the scene in time.
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“While we were still trying to figure out a rescue plan, the dog slipped into the water,” Pienaar said.
She added that Steyn entered the water in an attempt to reach the animal but was unable to do so on her own due to the force of the current.
A local, Sgaky Mandlane, who was fishing nearby, then stepped in. Risking his own life, Mandlane entered the river, managed to reach the struggling dog, and safely brought it back to dry land.
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“As an organisation, we are incredibly grateful that the dog’s life was saved and that no one was injured,” Pienaar said. “All thanks must go to the people who risked their lives to ensure this helpless animal was rescued.”
The dog was taken to the SPCA Nelspruit, where it is recovering well. Despite the ordeal, the animal is described as gentle, affectionate, and already deeply loved by staff at the centre. How the dog ended up in the river remains unknown.
SPCA representatives visited Mandlane on Wednesday, January 21, to thank him personally and to provide essential supplies as a token of appreciation. The organisation also expressed gratitude to the resident who raised the alarm and to community members who offered assistance and support.
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