The arrest of a third suspect in Zimbabwe has become the latest development in the investigation into the murders of Ernst Marais (71) and Dina Marais (73), the Mossel Bay couple who were found dead in the Kruger National Park last month. South African police say the arrest represents another breakthrough in a complex cross-border investigation that has already led to the arrest of two other suspects in Mozambique.
The latest suspect, identified as 26-year-old Mozambican national Macandze Lionel da Marta, was arrested in Zimbabwe after allegedly fleeing Mozambique following the arrests of his two alleged accomplices. Authorities say he is expected to be deported to Mozambique, where he will face charges alongside the other suspects.
The case has attracted attention across Southern Africa because of the international manhunt that unfolded after the couple’s deaths, involving law enforcement agencies from South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
How the Third Suspect Was Tracked to Zimbabwe
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the arrest followed weeks of coordinated investigations involving SAPS, South African National Parks (SANParks), Mozambique’s Criminal Investigation Directorate (SERNIC), and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Authorities believe Macandze Lionel da Marta fled Mozambique after investigators began closing in on those linked to the murders of Ernst and Dina Marais. Police have not disclosed exactly where in Zimbabwe he was arrested, but confirmed that he was apprehended through ongoing cooperation between regional law enforcement agencies.
Acting National Commissioner Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane described the arrest as a significant achievement and praised the cooperation between police agencies operating across borders.
The arrest comes after authorities previously detained two Mozambican nationals aged 32 and 33 in Mozambique. Those arrests were announced by SAPS earlier this month after investigators linked the suspects to the murders and hijacking.
Police say the latest arrest demonstrates how intelligence sharing between countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) continues to strengthen efforts to combat serious and violent crime.
The involvement of multiple police agencies has transformed the investigation from a local murder case into a regional operation spanning three countries.
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What Happened to Ernst and Dina Marais in Kruger National Park
The investigation began after Ernst Marais and Dina Marais entered the Kruger National Park on 17 May 2026. The couple, from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape, were reportedly visiting the park to celebrate Dina’s birthday.
According to SAPS, the couple was last seen alive on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, at the Pafuri Picnic Site in the northern section of the park.
When they failed to return as expected, concern quickly grew, and a search operation was launched. Rangers, police officers, and aerial support teams searched the area around Pafuri and Crooks’ Corner, one of the most remote parts of the park.
The search ended in tragedy when the bodies of Ernst and Dina Marais were discovered near Crooks’ Corner at the intersection of the Levubu and Limpopo rivers within the Kruger National Park.
Preliminary investigations revealed that both victims had sustained multiple stab wounds. Their green Ford Ranger double-cab bakkie was also missing.
As a result, police opened murder and hijacking cases and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
The deaths shocked many South Africans, particularly frequent visitors to the Kruger National Park, which attracts tourists from around the world each year.
The case also raised questions about criminal activity near border regions and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies operating in remote areas.
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How the Stolen Ford Ranger Led Investigators to the Suspects
One of the most important breakthroughs in the investigation came with the recovery of the couple’s stolen vehicle.
SAPS confirmed that the Ford Ranger was recovered on 26 May 2026 in Chókwè, Mozambique.
Investigators say the discovery of the vehicle provided crucial evidence that helped identify and trace suspects linked to the murders.
The vehicle recovery led directly to the arrest of the first suspect in Chókwè on 1 June 2026. A second suspect was then arrested in Xai-Xai, Gaza Province, on 2 June 2026.
Police have stated that both suspects have been positively linked to the crime.
The recovery of the Ford Ranger also strengthened the theory that those involved moved across international borders after the murders. This prompted investigators to expand their operations beyond South Africa and work closely with authorities in neighbouring countries.
Law enforcement agencies have not released full details regarding the evidence recovered from the vehicle, as the investigation remains active.
However, officials have repeatedly described the recovery of the Ford Ranger as a turning point in the case.
This is not the first time investigators in Southern Africa have relied on cross-border cooperation to solve serious crimes. In recent years, police agencies have increasingly worked together to tackle organised criminal networks operating across national boundaries.
Readers can find more crime investigation stories and major police operations from across South Africa on our website.
Latest Update on the Kruger National Park Murder Investigation
With the arrest of a third suspect in Zimbabwe, investigators believe they have made significant progress in the case. However, authorities have made it clear that the investigation is not yet complete.
The three suspects are expected to face murder and hijacking charges, while additional charges may still be added as investigators continue gathering evidence.
Police have not yet released further details regarding the motive behind the murders or whether additional suspects may still be sought.
What is clear is that the investigation has become an example of regional cooperation between South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the 31st Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) Chiefs of Police Meeting in Malawi, Lieutenant General Puleng Dimpane said the arrest sends a strong message to criminals operating across borders.
She said regional law enforcement agencies would continue working together to ensure that criminals do not find safe havens within Southern Africa.
For the families of Ernst and Dina Marais, the arrests represent an important step toward accountability. For investigators, the focus now shifts to court proceedings and ensuring that those accused face justice.
As the legal process unfolds, authorities are expected to release further details regarding the case and the evidence gathered during the investigation.
The Kruger National Park murder investigation remains active, and police have encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward. Readers are encouraged to follow future updates as the case progresses through the courts.
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