South African man who claimed to be a prophet has drowned and his body was torn to pieces while being baptised in a river.
According to Mail Online, the victim’s remains were discovered surrounded by crocodiles in the Olifants River in Limpopo on Sunday.
The 48-year-old man from Atok drowned during a prayer ceremony with two others days earlier, according to local media.
Police spokesperson Col Malesela Ledwaba said the prophet experienced difficulties during the baptism ceremony and drowned in the crocodile-infested river.
As they prayed, “one prophet suddenly experienced difficulties and drowned in the crocodile-infested river,” he said.
“It is suspected that he was attacked by crocodiles during the baptism ceremony,” Col Ledwaba added.
Police said the man was one of three ‘prophets’ who went to the overflowing river to conduct the service last Sunday.
The other two men searched for the victim but were unable to find him, Times Live reports.
Police chiefs have urged locals to avoid crocodile-infested entering rivers, either to swim or conduct spiritual activities.
The Nile crocodile is the only variety of croc in South Africa and is native to freshwater habitats.
Hundreds of people are killed by the reptile across Africa every year, with many more deaths believed to go unreported.
