A decomposing body of a young woman was discovered inside a black refuse bag on a small vacant plot behind Athlone Stadium in Kewtown on Tuesday morning, 23 June, after a sickening stench alerted local residents and refuse collectors.
The naked body was found in a cul-de-sac off Cross Boulevard Street and is believed to be that of a 28-year-old coloured woman. Identification has not yet been possible because of the state of decomposition.
Refuse collection workers came across the bag while moving through the neighbourhood. An image shared with the Cape Argus, a sister paper of the Daily Voice, shows the outline of limbs through the plastic and what appears to be a splash of blood.
Police confirmed an investigation is under way and that an inquest docket has been opened. A post-mortem examination will be carried out to determine the cause of death.
Athlone police spokesman Thembakazi Mpendukana said: “Athlone police discovered a decomposed body of an unknown female in a bag on 23 June 2026, around 10am at Cross Boulevard Street, Kewtown. “An inquest docket has been opened, and a post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”
Investigators are appealing to anyone who has reported a person matching the description or who has other information to contact Athlone Police Station. The public can call Athlone SAPS on 021 697 9238/39.
Local residents described shock and sadness at the discovery. Community activist Aqeelah Abrahams said the neighbourhood was reeling.
She said: “As far as the residents said, it was a stench that alerted them to notice that something was not right, and that is how they discovered the body. “It has apparently been there for a while. “We are obviously shocked because this was a young female.”
Another resident, who asked not to be identified, told reporters they believed the body had been dumped before Monday.
The anonymous source said: “We are very sad; she was found inside a bag, and it looks like they dumped her body there.”
Residents have expressed suspicion about the timing of the dumping. Local refuse collection takes place on Monday in the area, and neighbours say whoever placed the body on the vacant plot may have expected it to be collected and removed by the rubbish truck.
Police have not commented publicly on possible motives or on whether they suspect a targeted killing, accidental death or other circumstances. The post-mortem and forensic examination will be central to establishing cause and time of death. Detectives will also need to determine whether the location where the body was found is where the killing took place or whether the site was used simply to conceal the body.
Forensic teams typically examine the bag, any clothing or personal effects, and perform a full autopsy. They will also canvass the area for witnesses, check nearby CCTV where available, and interview refuse workers and residents who first noticed the smell. These lines of enquiry can yield time frames, potential suspects and leads on the victim’s last movements.
The discovery has raised questions about safety in the area and community vigilance. Athlone Stadium lies in a dense urban neighbourhood where residents have long expressed concerns about crime and dumping in vacant spaces. Community leaders called for calm while urging anyone with information to come forward.
“We need people to speak to police,” one neighbour said. Many residents said they would check with family and friends to see if anyone had reported a missing person matching the woman’s description.
The police appeal is direct: anyone who reported a person fitting her description as missing, or anyone with information that might assist the investigation, should contact Athlone SAPS on 021 697 9238/39.
At this stage, police are treating the death as unexplained pending the outcome of the post-mortem. Investigators will also examine the bag and surrounding area for trace evidence and attempt to trace the origin of the refuse bag, which may provide forensic leads.
This case adds to a pattern of concern about violent incidents and clandestine dumping in some parts of the city, where vacant plots can be used to conceal criminal acts. Community activists say better lighting, more frequent patrols and rapid clearing of dumping sites would help deter perpetrators and make it harder for criminals to hide evidence.
Police stressed the need for careful handling of the investigation to preserve evidence and ensure a thorough forensic process. Members of the public are reminded not to disturb the scene and to report any information directly to the police numbers provided.
The family of the deceased, if identified, will be informed and given support while detectives continue to piece together the events that led to this young woman’s death. The post-mortem results and further police statements are expected to shed light on her identity and the circumstances of her death.
Anyone with information can contact Athlone SAPS on 021 697 9238/39.
