A body, burnt beyond recognition, with both feet missing, was discovered yesterday, Tuesday July 16, on a vacant private property off Crescent Place in Brindhaven, Verulam.
The gruesome find was reported to Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) at about 3pm by a woman who, along with her husband, was in the area searching for a rental property. According to the woman, a passer-by informed them of a body he had seen on a large piece of vacant land bordering Brindhaven, Oaklands, and Dawncrest. The passer-by left before the arrival of first responders.
Several reaction officers responded to the scene and located the area after a brief search. They found the body of an man lying face up, with both feet missing. Wooden planks were placed between his arms and body, suggesting the victim had been set on fire. The blaze had spread to the surrounding bush, burning several hundred meters of vegetation.
The officers, while conducting further searches, recovered one of the victim’s feet near the body.
Prem Balram of Reaction Unit South Africa said investigations were ongoing.
“The scene is being treated as a crime scene, and all necessary measures are being taken to gather evidence and identify the victim. Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,” said Mr Balram.