Body recovered from Drakensberg waterfall
Updated | By Nushera Soodyal
KwaZulu-Natal police say they have opened a case of murder after a body was found in the Drakensberg.
Several teams responded to the scene below Cathedral Peak on Tuesday.
The terrain made the scene inaccessible, hindering efforts by the units from Pietermaritzburg and Ladysmith K9 Search and Rescue, as well as Tugela SAPS.
The SAPS then reached out to its air wing in Pretoria.
The teams returned to the area on Wednesday and were airlifted to the scene, as pointed out by a witness.
KZN police spokesperson Thenjiswa Ngcobo says the body was found at the base of a 40-metre waterfall in the Thonyelana River.
" The victim sustained multiple injuries on the body, and the motive of the killing is unknown."
The victim, a 39-year-old man, has been confirmed as a Lesotho national.
Police say the witness pointed out a spot where he believed a second body could be.
Officials were hoisted onto a ledge but found nothing.
#sapsKZN On Tuesday, 01/07, #SAPS Pietermaritzburg #SearchAndRescue, together with Pietermaritzburg #K9SAR and Ladysmith #K9Unit members were called to assist Upper Tugela SAPS with a body recovery in the Drakensberg area below Cathedral Peak.
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 3, 2025
Due to the inaccessible terrain,… pic.twitter.com/lY7WKE93js
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