Body found at illegal dump

RESIDENTS of Eskom in Mlungisi location are up in arms after the body of a person, burnt beyond recognition, was discovered at an illegal dumping site in the area.

The gruesome discovery, which has traumatised the community, was made on Saturday morning.

Ward committee member Nomzwakhe Tyutyu and community development worker Thandiwe Mzola said this was the second time a body had been dumped in the area. “We want the municipality to clean this area, so that we can see everything, and no one has a chance to hide dead people,” Tyutyu said.

● A girl, 13, has gone missing in the area, close to where the burnt body was found.

The girl was last seenwhile on her way to school on Friday. A family member who wanted to remain anonymous said the girl did not return home after school, and they reported the matter to the police.

“The police took her photos and promised to put them up in town and ask for anyone who might have seen her to contact them,” she said.

She said on Saturday, after the body was discovered, police took DNA samples to compare them with the person found dead in the area.

“We are still living in hope and would like anyone who has information of the whereabouts of the child to please contact the police.”

Ward councillor Luvuyo Ngculu said he had been calling for the area with the illegal dump site to be cleaned, and that when the municipal strike ended he would ask the municipality to clean the area, and fix high-mast streetlights that were not working.

“We believe that if the lights were working the body would have not been dumped here. This is a sad situation and as the ward we are traumatised by the incident.”

Police spokesperson Captain Namhla Mdleleni promised to respond today.