THE remains of a KwaZulu-Natal game ranger were found on Wednesday four years after he was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by cattle thieves, police said yesterday.

Captain Thulani Zwane said: "The body of a Mawela Game Reserve ranger Mfanuvela Walter Zuma has been found four years after his disappearance."

The skeleton was found in the game reserve's bushes.

"Members of the organised crime unit received information about the remains," Zwane said,

"They also found a red T-shirt and the pair of boots he was last seen wearing, as well as his cellphone. next to his body," Zwane said.

He said Zuma disappeared after he spotted cattle in the game reserve that had been stolen from the Weenen area by three men.

Two of the men allegedly worked at the game reserve.

"He informed the owner. It is alleged that the suspects kidnapped the victim from his home in the game reserve. He was taken to the bush and killed," Zwane continued.

"Through investigations, one suspect, Siboniso Mgabhi Zakwe, was arrested and charged with murder and kidnapping.

"He was sentenced to life imprisonment."

Zakwe implicated two other people, Siyabonga Shezi and Khanyi Dlamini.

They appeared in the Mooi River magistrate's court on charges of murder and kidnapping on Monday. They are expected to appear in court again on Monday."