VAAL RIVER CROC
Expert Crocodile Team to Assist with Vaal River Capture
26 August 2026
VAAL CROCODILE UPDATE
Our Vaal Croc is proving to be a rather elusive resident - so Charles van der Merwe from Africa Crocodiles is heading back to the Vaal to make some changes to the capture operation.
Charles will be relocating the capture cages to new positions.
There has unfortunately been quite a bit of additional boat activity in the area, with people going out specifically to look for the crocodile. Charles has advised that crocodiles are naturally wary of unusual activity, and all this extra attention is making our Vaal Croc even more cautious - and consequently more difficult to capture.
So, a friendly but important request: please don't go crocodile scouting!
The best way we can all help Charles now is actually to give the crocodile some peace and quiet and allow the capture operation to do its job.
For a little perspective, Charles has just successfully caught the crocodile he was working to capture in Richards Bay - and that one took 28 days. So patience is very much part of crocodile catching!
IMPORTANT GOING FORWARD
For obvious reasons, the new locations of the capture cages will NOT be shared publicly. This is to minimise human and boat activity around them and give Charles the best possible chance of a successful capture.
Please continue to report any genuine sightings, with a pin location, time and, if safely possible, a photograph or video but otherwise, let's leave the searching to the experts.
The less attention our Vaal Croc gets, the better our chances of finally getting him - or her - safely into one of those cages.
So for now: no Crocodile Dundee expeditions, please! Charles has that job covered.
We will continue to keep everyone updated on any confirmed developments.
20 August 2026
VAAL RIVER CROCODILE
Many people have been asking for an update over the past few days about the crocodile that was spotted in the Vaal River in the Old Willow area.
Today, Thursday 20 August, is Day 8 of the capture operation, which began on 13 August.
The crocodile traps placed by Charles van der Merwe from Africa Crocodiles in Pongola and his team will remain in position until the crocodile is successfully captured. The traps are being monitored continuously, and the black-and-white cameras allow us to see what is happening around the area and the traps during both the day and night.
There has also recently been a little “company” around one of the houses — some dogs came to investigate and sniff around one of the traps, but the situation has since been sorted out.
What type of crocodile is it?
We cannot yet say with certainty exactly what species the crocodile is. However, both Charles and crocodile expert Prof. Xander Combrink believe that it may be a slender-snouted crocodile, similar to the one shown in the photograph.
We do not believe it is a Nile crocodile, but there is still a possibility that it could be one. If it is not a Nile crocodile, the current suspicion is that it may be the other species. The exact species still needs to be confirmed.
According to the current suspicion, this type of crocodile may originate from West Africa, or it may possibly have escaped from a park or captive population, particularly following the floods. These remain possibilities at this stage and have not been confirmed.
An adult slender-snouted crocodile can reach approximately 3 to 4 metres in length, and this type of crocodile's diet consists mainly of fish.
IMPORTANT REQUEST TO THE PUBLIC
IF ANYONE SEES THE CROCODILE, PLEASE TAKE A PHOTO OR VIDEO AND SEND A PINDROP OF THE EXACT LOCATION.
This information is extremely important in helping the team monitor the crocodile’s movements and location.
VERY IMPORTANT – SAFETY
We kindly ask people not to go into the capture area to try to see the crocodile
PLEASE DO NOT SWIM IN THAT SECTION OF THE VAAL RIVER.
Fishing may continue where it is safe and permitted, but no swimming or skiing should take place in the affected area.
A SPECIAL THANK YOU
We would like to say a very special thank you to the Water Police – Marius, Hermie and Charlene – for their incredible hospitality, interest and support.
You truly go out of your way to assist, get involved and make sure that everything possible is being done. Your help and support are sincerely appreciated. 🙏
The main objective remains to capture the crocodile safely and manage the situation responsibly.
The traps remain in place. The operation continues.
We will provide another update as soon as there is further news.
17 August 2026
A LITTLE UPDATE FROM THE VAAL RIVER COMMUNITY…
Following the recent crocodile sightings in the Vaal River, a dedicated team led by Charles Van Der Merwe from our South African Police Service (Water Policing and Diving Services)) and Stephan, have been working behind the scenes to put a safe and responsible capture-and-relocation plan in place.
With the necessary permits now secured and the correct procedures followed, the capture cage was officially set today. Now, we wait for our unexpected river visitor to hopefully take the bait. A huge thank you to Charles and everyone involved for the time, effort and care that has gone into this process.
We’d also like to thank the Vaal community for your incredible support and, importantly, for continuing to report sightings. Those reports have been extremely helpful in assisting the team.
There is no need for panic — the situation is being handled carefully and responsibly by the relevant team. In the meantime, please continue to enjoy the river sensibly and report any confirmed sightings rather than approaching the animal.
Hopefully our scaly visitor will soon be enjoying a new home somewhere a little more suitable! Thank you, Vaal Community — teamwork makes all the difference.
12 August 2026
UPDATE: VAAL RIVER CROCODILE
There has been quite a bit happening regarding our rather unexpected Vaal River visitor, and fortunately we have some very positive news to share.
On Tuesday, the specialist GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) unit responsible for wildlife permits, poaching and problem animals met on site at the area of the sighting, together with members of our SAPS Water Wing, to assess the situation and discuss the best way forward.
The specialists advised that locating and safely capturing a crocodile in such a vast, open stretch of river is extremely difficult. This has also been confirmed by others with considerable experience in the wildlife and crocodile industry.
At this stage, nobody knows how long the crocodile has been in the Vaal. It is estimated to be approximately 15 years old and could conceivably have been quietly living in the river, largely unnoticed, for some time. Alternatively, it may have made its way into this section of the river during one of the major flood periods we have had over the past several years. We simply don't know.
The preferred outcome has always been to safely capture and relocate the crocodile if at all possible - and we now have some very encouraging news on this front.
Charles van der Merwe from Africa Crocodiles in Pongola, who has considerable experience working with and capturing crocodiles - has very kindly agreed to travel to the Vaal to help us.
Charles intends to place two specialised crocodile capture cages in the river in an attempt to safely catch the crocodile, after which the appropriate arrangements can be made for its relocation.
Even more generously, Charles has offered his expertise and assistance at no cost to the Vaal River community. He is currently finalising his arrangements and we expect him to be with us next week.
The Vaal River community has truly come together - since hearing that Charles is coming, river residents and businesses have immediately stepped forward offering boats, accommodation, meals, physical assistance and whatever else may be needed to help him, his team and the authorities - with the capture operation. People have simply asked: “What can we do to help?”
It is wonderful to see that same Vaal community spirit that came to the fore during the water lettuce crisis - when residents, businesses, authorities and organisations pulled together to tackle what at times seemed an overwhelming problem. Together, we won that battle.
Hopefully, with that same determination and cooperation, we can achieve another good outcome - this time getting our unexpected visitor safely captured and relocated to a more appropriate home.
A huge thank you to Charles van der Merwe of Africa Crocodiles, our SAPS Water Wing, GDARD, our river residents, local businesses and everyone else who has offered assistance, shared information or helped in any way.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO REPORT ALL SIGHTINGS
If anyone sees the crocodile, please post the location/pin, approximate time and, if it can be done safely, a photograph or video on the Safety on Vaal WhatsApp group.
Members of our SAPS Water Wing are on the group, so information can be relayed directly to them. Knowing where the crocodile is moving and where it appears to be spending time could be extremely valuable in helping Charles determine the best locations for the capture cages.
Until the crocodile has been safely captured, river users are asked to continue to exercise caution and avoid swimming, skiing and other water sports in the area where it has been sighted.
Hopefully, with Charles's expertise, the authorities' assistance, the incredible support of the Vaal River community - and just a little cooperation from Mr or Ms Crocodile - we can bring this very unusual Vaal River story to a safe and happy conclusion.
Rand Water Press release Vaal River Barrage Flotilla event.
Vaal River
7th September 2024
The 7th September 2024 sees “Celebrating the Vaal River” - an event featuring the official opening of the Boating Season and the celebration of the successful removal of invasive aquatic weeds (water lettuce (pistia stratiotes) and water hyacinth (Pontederia crassipes) that invaded the Vaal River Barrage Reservoir earlier this year.
After many months of toil to remove the water lettuce and water hyacinth causing huge devastation to the entire community on the Vaal River Barrage, the coverage is down to less than 1 hectare on the Vaal River Barrage. Eventually in winter it was possible to see clear water and for the majority of the water body to be free of free-floating invasive species. This was achieved through the support of various stakeholders, starting with the Vaal River community, Rand Water, Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and others.
The scourge of water lettuce and water hyacinth fueled by relentlessly high levels of polluted water in the catchment of the Vaal River. This understood, the DWS is its efforts to reverse this by monitoring hotspots, assist and intervene with municipalities where possible and take legal action where required. This will further be supported by the Anti pollution forum that will meet on the 18th of September under leadership of Deputy Minister Isaac Seitlholo. This is part of an integrated plan revert the river and its tributaries back to a more healthy state and allow for biodiversity to be restored, for communities to enjoy and experience a cleaner environment and for business to flourish.
Rand Water (appointed and funded by DWS) has a proactive, preventative program going forward, to ensure the Vaal River Barrage reservoir never experiences the levels of invasive aquatic weed coverage as experienced earlier this year. They are also in the process of issuing several requests for quotation to undertake a variety of specialist work on the Vaal River Barrage that are all part of the preventative action plan going forward to reduce this regrowth and severely limit its spread. These activities link into the integrated approach as agreed to earlier this year. These activities include physical removal, chemical control and biocontrol. Where feasible curtaining will again be used to collect and abstract plants sooner than later. However it is envisaged to be partial curtaining of the water ways as was the case earlier this year. It is hoped that some this work will be able to commence in September 2024. Through the support of Rhodes university (Centre for Biological Control-CBC) three community rearing stations and one station at Rand Water have been set up to rear various biological control agents (weevils and hoppers), that have all been pre-approved as host specific feeders. Biological control will be used as a long term and ongoing natural control mechanism that will need to be supplemented annually.
The community have and continue to play an enormous role in the process of reducing the spread, curbing the growth curve and rallying together. This has come at a huge personal and financial cost to the community. This commitment and partnership is to be commended.
The flotilla event on the Vaal River Barrage is three fold, firstly to resurrect an annual event that occurred on the Vaal River Barrage to celebrate the opening of the spring and summer boating season, and secondly to celebrate the river clean of water lettuce and water hyacinth and finally to claw back the losses that were incurred to the many businesses along the Vaal River barrage that rely on and make a living through their direct contact and involvement on the barrage. This celebration is a tribute to the successful close working relationship between the Vaal River Community, Rand Water, the Dept of Water and Sanitation (DWS), Rhodes University, the Centre for Biological Control, Afriforum, Omnia and SAVE (Save the Vaal Environment) and FEDHASA.
Going forward, the Department of Water and Sanitation has appointed Rand Water as the official Implementing Agent to ensure that the Vaal River Barrage Reservoir never experiences what it went through earlier this year and has allocated R42 million over the next 3 years, along with a comprehensive proactive preventative programme.
The template for this successful collaboration of private sector with government entities in the successful removal of invasive aquatic weed – can hopefully be emulated at many other water sources in South Africa, who face this similar challenge.
Today’s celebration is significant – since not only is it an occasion to celebrate this successful collaboration between government, private sector and the community, but it is tourism month too – and the successful removal of the invasive aquatic weed is a significant boost for the rich tourism offerings along the Vaal River, which include dozens of river venues, resorts, hotels, casino, lodges, boat, fishing and golf clubs, water taxis, house boats, cruising restaurants, and luxury commercial cruisers.
For more information contact:
Dr. Leslie Hoy
Project Manager, Rand Water
082 389 0302