The police search and rescue teams are still searching for the body of a 10-year-old boy who was snatched by a crocodile while swimming with his friends in the Phalala River in Martinique village, Abbotspoort in Limpopo. It is said that the river is reptile infested and a search has been ongoing since Tuesday afternoon when the incident happened.

SAPS spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba said the missing boy's friends told authorities they witnessed him being dragged by a crocodile before he disappeared in the water. He said the emergency search and rescue team reported that they saw multiple crocodiles when they were searching. "While they were on the search, a number of crocodiles were seen in the river, and surprisingly, some of the community members were crossing the river. In the process, they had to apply their advanced techniques to ensure that the crocodiles move in order for them to proceed with the search. Unfortunately, the body of the boy was not found, but the search operation is still ongoing," he said. 

The acting Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Major General Jan Scheepers has urged community members to avoid swimming or crossing waterbodies, such as rivers that might endanger their lives. "Parents, please teach these children about the dangers of swimming in the rivers. We also discourage any other unsafe activities performed in the rivers because in most cases, our communities become the victims of aquatic animals, said Scheepers.