Cop’s body found in burnt-out vehicle
MYSTERY surrounds the discovery of the body of an off-duty Port Elizabeth policeman who was found burnt beyond recognition in the boot of his car on the outskirts of Peddie on Sunday.
The charred remains of Gelvandale police station constable Vuyo Matshisi, 36, were found in the boot of his burnt-out VW Golf 4, which was on a plot of open land about 20km from Peddie, near Ngqowa.
It had crashed down an embankment and was about 10 metres off the road, out of the view of passing motorists.
Details of the murder emerged slowly because, due to Matshisi’s body being so severely burnt, it took authorities several days to confirm he was, indeed, the victim.
But police have provided little other information about the incident and, despite investigating for three days, cannot give any clarity on what transpired.
However, a case of murder has been opened.
Officials suspect his death could be linked to a hijacking, which saw Matshisi locked in the boot of his car.
According to police, the burnt-out car was found by a herder.
Police spokeswoman Colonel Sibongile Soci confirmed that Matshisi’s body had been found in the boot.
Soci said Matshisi had not been on duty at the time of the incident and his reason for being in the area was unknown.
Matshisi started in the police as a student constable in 2008 and did his training at the Gelvandale police station in 2009.
In 2010, Matshisi, who was not married, became a constable and was stationed at Gelvandale. Gelvandale station commander Brigadier Philip Macala said Matshisi’s death was a loss to the police.
“He was dedicated to combating crime and was a dedicated police official,” he said.
“The news has come as a shock to us all. He will be sorely missed by all of us.”
The provincial forensic task team was gathering evidence at the scene yesterday.