SANDF Tragedy: Police Open Inquest After Soldier Drowns In Polokwane River

Police in the Capricorn District have opened an inquest following the drowning of a 36-year-old female South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member whose body was found in a river stream in the City of Polokwane.

The grim discovery was made on New Year’s Day, 1 January 2026, at around 11am.

Police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba confirmed that investigations are under way.

SANDF Car Swept Away by Floodwaters Under Bridge

According to police, the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning after the vehicle the soldier was travelling in became trapped under a bridge.

“The report received by the police is that this morning at around 04:00, the deceased, together with two other occupants of the car (Renault Triber), were swept by heavy flowing water after the car got stuck under the bridge along Grobler Street.

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“It is further reported that the other two occupants, including the driver, managed to grab reeds and exit the river, but the deceased unfortunately did not survive the catastrophic incident. The search was conducted by the divers, and the body was found about 2,5 kilometers from the initial scene and retrieved from the river,” Ledwaba said.

He added that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

Police Warn of Flood Dangers as SANDF Searches End

Ledwaba said the Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has renewed warnings to residents amid heavy rains.

“The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has once more warned communities and reminded them about the potential danger of overflowing rivers and streams due to floods during this rainy season.”

Meanwhile, police have concluded the Komatipoort search operation in Mpumalanga after human remains believed to belong to the second missing SANDF soldier were recovered near the Mozambique border.

Authorities are awaiting DNA test results following the disappearance of two SANDF soldiers who were swept away by floodwaters on Christmas Day while conducting border patrols near the Macadamia military base.

The soldiers were attempting to cross a submerged low-lying bridge when their vehicle was overcome by strong currents caused by heavy rainfall.

One soldier’s body was recovered on 26 December, while the second set of remains was found on 29 December.

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