Police probe deaths of two learners at Sabie lodge
Two teenagers were found dead inside a lodge room in Sabie on 3 August 2026, and Mpumalanga police have said post-mortem results suggest the female victim, a 17-year-old learner at St Stithians Girls’ College, was strangled, while the 19-year-old male, a former pupil at St Stithians Boys’ College, appears to have taken his own life.
Mpumalanga SAPS spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo confirmed officers were alerted after a complaint about two people who had died at the lodge. Both were declared dead at the scene, and an inquest docket was opened before post-mortems were completed, Masondo said.
Family speaks publicly
The brother of the 17-year-old, who was named in reporting as Cameron Waldeck-Cooks, posted on social media describing the impact on the family and his reaction to the coverage of the case. In his post he wrote:
“Her corpse lay lifeless; with injuries in several parts of her body. She did not pass peacefully.”
In the same message he criticised what he described as insensitive headlines that paired his sister’s image alongside that of the other deceased. He also paid tribute to the 19-year-old, saying that the young man had treated his family well, but emphasised that his sister’s life had been taken.
Timeline and immediate police action
- 3 August 2026 – SAPS were alerted to two deaths at a Sabie lodge.
- Officers discovered the bodies of a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl and declared both deceased at the scene.
- An inquest docket was opened; subsequent post-mortem examinations yielded differing causes of death for each victim.
- Investigations remain ongoing and police have not announced any arrests or suspects.
What post-mortems revealed
| Victim | Age | Post-mortem finding |
|---|---|---|
| Female learner (named in reports) | 17 | Alleged strangulation |
| Male (former learner) | 19 | Suspected self-inflicted death |
Police stress these findings come from post-mortem examinations and that their investigation must determine all circumstances surrounding the deaths. Further forensic tests and inquiries are expected to take place as the docket proceeds.
Community and school impact
The deaths have reverberated through the pupils’ schools and the broader community. Incidents involving learners are treated with urgency by education authorities and school leaderships, both for safeguarding pupils and for the provision of grief counselling. At the time of reporting, there has been no public statement from the schools named in initial reports, and SAPS continue to handle the criminal investigation.
Tourism and hospitality venues in Mpumalanga, including Sabie’s lodges, are often locations for visitors and school trips. Police and municipal safety units regularly encourage lodge operators to maintain strict guest-registration processes and to cooperate fully with law enforcement when incidents occur.
What to expect as the investigation continues
Families and the public can expect the following next steps in the official process:
- Further forensic analysis where necessary to establish timelines and any third-party involvement.
- Police interviews with witnesses, lodge staff and any persons of interest.
- Possible updates from SAPS once detectives have additional evidence to release.
Colonel Masondo said investigations remain ongoing. Anyone with information that could assist the inquiry has been urged to contact their nearest police station or the investigating team directly.
This remains an active and sensitive investigation. The identities of victims and many details have been reported in national outlets; police will confirm additional information in line with investigative priorities and legal requirements.
