For more than four years, forensic officials have maintained the body while investigators wait for a breakthrough in a case that has remained stagnant since the initial discovery. No family members or acquaintances have visited the facility to claim the deceased. 

Detectives are now renewing their appeal to the public to help end the years of anonymity surrounding the case. 

The white man was first found lying motionless next to a railway track. At the time of the discovery, emergency services declared him dead at the scene, and he was subsequently transported to the mortuary, where he has remained since Sunday, 22 August 2021.

The investigation has relied heavily on the clothing the man was wearing when he was found. He was dressed in a black T-shirt, pink track pants, and a khaki jacket. He also had a Gel Venture sneaker with yellow and pink stripes on his right foot, and a black and pink Maxed soccer boot on his left foot.

“The deceased person is still at the government mortuary. No one has come forward to identify him,” said Sgt Palesa Thabana. 

Lack of ID

Police were summoned to the scene following reports of a body near the railway infrastructure. While the physical evidence was documented at the time, the lack of identification documents or missing persons reports matching the description has left the file open for nearly half a decade.

Authorities are again urging anyone who may recognise the clothing description or the circumstances of the man’s disappearance to come forward.

Contact Det. Sgt Hennita Motaung of the Bronville detective services on 072 124 0441 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Alternatively, information may be sent anonymously on the MySAPS App.

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