Police are investigating two separate murders after bodies were found burning in Tafelsig, Mitchells Plain, and Lwandle’s Zola Village within hours of each other.
In the first incident, a body was found burning at the corner of Hugenote Street and AZ Berman Drive in Tafelsig on Saturday afternoon. Footage of the scene was later shared on social media, showing the remains still on fire.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel FC van Wyk said officers received a complaint at about 12.46pm about a burning body.
“The body was burned beyond recognition,” he said.
A post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the deceased person’s identity, including their sex and race, as well as the cause of death.
Police have opened a murder investigation. No arrests had been announced at the latest update, and the motive remained unknown.
Members of the public with information about the Tafelsig incident are urged to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Body found near Lwandle school
In a separate incident, police in Lwandle are investigating the murder of a man whose body was found burning near Christmas Tinto Park in Zola Village on Friday morning.
The body was discovered near Simanyene High School at approximately 6.30am. Police said the man had sustained stab wounds to his upper body and was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.
Preliminary information suggests that the incident may have begun at about 3am in Celiwe Street, where the man was allegedly assaulted and stabbed.
He was then allegedly placed in a wheelie bin and dumped near the park, where his body was set alight.
The exact circumstances remain under investigation. Police have not confirmed whether the attack began in Celiwe Street or whether other people were involved. No arrests had been announced.
The motive for the killing was also unknown.
Anyone with information about the Lwandle murder can contact investigating officer Detective Warrant Officer Randall van Schalkwyk on 082 522 1953 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Investigations continue
Although both incidents involved bodies being burned, police have not indicated that the cases are connected. The Tafelsig and Lwandle murders are being investigated separately by the relevant police stations.
In the Tafelsig case, investigators will first need to establish the identity of the deceased and determine whether the person died before or after the body was set alight. The post-mortem examination and forensic investigation will be central to answering those questions.
In Lwandle, detectives will investigate the reported assault and stabbing in Celiwe Street, the movement of the body to Christmas Tinto Park and the circumstances in which it was set alight. Investigators may also examine available CCTV footage, witness accounts and forensic evidence from both locations.
Police urged anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in either area, or who may have information about the victims or suspects, to come forward.
The public is advised not to share graphic footage of the incidents on social media. Such material can cause further distress to victims’ families and may interfere with police investigations. Anyone who has relevant footage should preserve it and provide it directly to investigators rather than circulating it publicly.
At the latest update, both cases remained under investigation, the identities of the deceased in the Tafelsig case had not been confirmed and no arrests had been announced in either matter.