Man 'died after wandering into crocodile waters'

David Lubisi, 40, was eaten alive after he entered the Lepelle river following an argument with his girlfriend, detectives believe.

The father-of-three has not been seen for more than a week after allegedly telling a colleague about his plan on April 7.

“Our investigations have revealed that at around 7pm on April 7 he told a co-worker he wanted to walk into the river, which he knew to be infested with crocodiles,” said Sergeant Malesela Makgopa.

“He was last seen heading towards the water and never turned up after that.

“We believe he may have been having domestic problems with his girlfriend .”

Police said the local community had been shattered by the apparent tragedy, which happened near the town of Bushbuckbridge close to the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa’s eastern Mpumalanga province.

The country’s Sowetan newspaper today reported that the owner of a neighbouring property reported seeing a crocodile with a human leg protruding from its mouth four days after the incident.

Mr Lubisi’s sister Esther told the newspaper she did not believe here brother waded in deliberately and must have been pushed into the river.

Today Sergeant Makgopa said detectives had so far been unable to rule out foul play as the missing man’s body had not been found.

But the officer added that detectives currently had no reason to suspect anyone else was involved.

The investigation was continuing today.