Cape Town – Well-known Oudtshoorn ostrich farmer Sagaria “Saag” Jonker has been found dead inside his Toyota Land Cruiser, three days after floodwaters swept the vehicle into the Olifants River.
Jonker, 85, disappeared on Sunday after trying to cross a low-water bridge in the Rooiheuwel area, about 3km outside Oudtshoorn.
According to IOL, Police divers found his vehicle about 300 metres from the bridge on Tuesday afternoon.
Western Cape police spokesperson Warrant Officer Christopher Spies said the vehicle and the body of a man were recovered from the river at about 3pm.
Police divers, K9 search-and-rescue teams, local officers and the Oudtshoorn fire department had returned to the river early on Tuesday to continue the search.
An inquest has been opened and a post-mortem examination will be conducted later this week to establish the cause of death.
Jonker’s family confirmed his death on Tuesday night.
“Though our hearts are very sore, there is also a great sense of gratitude and acceptance that we found him, that we can now bring him home, and that we as a family can say a proper goodbye to him,” the family said.
Jonker had been returning home after his usual Sunday morning rounds of his farms when he attempted to cross the bridge at about 12.50pm.
The Olifants River was in full flood following heavy rain in its catchment area south of Beaufort West.
A security guard and a woman living near the river saw the brown Land Cruiser being swept away and raised the alarm.
The search continued for three days and involved police divers, an Air Mercy Service helicopter, drones, farmers, emergency workers and volunteers.
The recovery brought an end to a difficult search that was initially hampered by the strength of the river and dangerous conditions. Local reports said divers had been unable to enter parts of the river safely while the current remained strong.
Jonker was a prominent figure in the Klein Karoo’s ostrich industry.
He started the Saag Jonker Group in 1976 from a modest operation and built it into a business involved in farming, processing and exporting ostrich products.
According to PrimeTimes News, his contribution to the industry was recognised in 2000 when the Agricultural Writers’ Association of South Africa named him Farmer of the Year.
Oudtshoorn councillor Johan Allers said Jonker’s death was a major loss for the town’s farming and business communities.
“Saag was one of the people who helped build Oudtshoorn’s name as the centre of the ostrich industry,” Allers said.
“He built a large business, created jobs and showed what is possible in this region with hard work, perseverance and faith in it.”
Allers also remembered Jonker for his generosity.
He recalled how, at a 2011 farm awards ceremony, Jonker announced that he would write off a car loan owed by a prize-winning worker after the Jonker family had supported the worker and his siblings following their mother’s death.
Allers thanked the police divers, emergency workers, farmers, employees and volunteers who took part in the search.
“Your willingness to help showed how the Klein Karoo stands together in a time of need,” he said.
Jonker’s family said they were grateful to everyone who had helped search for him and supported them during the three-day ordeal.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
