While investigating the circumstances around the murder case of a former policeman, the human skeletal remains were reportedly stolen at a state mortuary in Standerton.
In October 2020, a 62-year-old former police officer was reported missing by his family. An unsuccessful search for the man ended when on Friday, 12 March 2021, when 26-year-old Mr. Sanele Msimang confessed to killing his employer.
“Msimang informed police there, that he killed his employer at Standerton somewhere last year and buried his remains in a shallow grave. He was then detained at Harrismith Police Station and arrangements were made that he be brought to Standerton to face charges for this act,” reported Brigadier Leonard Hlathi.
He arrived at the Standerton Police Station on Monday 15 March 2021, fully cooperative. He led SAPS to the shallow grave of his victim. The remains were exhumed and sent for forensic testing.
The perpetrator has been charged with murder and appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 18 March 2021, where he was remanded in custody until Tuesday, 23 March 2021.
The discovery of the missing remains was made on Friday, 19 March 2021.
A case of theft has been opened for the missing skeletal remains and an investigation is underway. An additional charge of defeating the ends of justice was also lodged.
