Body found hanging in city park

THE BODY of a 40-year-old man was discovered hanging from a tree in a park in Kimberley yesterday morning.

The man, who apparently committed suicide by hanging himself, was discovered by passers-by at around 5am yesterday morning at the Kimberley Trim Park, which is a common exercise spot for walkers and joggers.

The man was declared dead on the scene by ER24 emergency personnel.

One eyewitness said he noticed the body, which appeared to be that of a black male dressed in a green long-sleeved shirt and green tracksuit pants, with black sneakers, while walking in the area.

“It was a major shock. There were no police or emergency personnel present yet. The man had a piece of wire (bloudraad) around his neck. His tongue was hanging out and his eyes were wide open. It was a horrific site,” the man said.

A woman who, together with her husband, was walking her dogs at around 5.30am, also came across the body, which was discovered close to the Oliver Road side of the park.

“I was looking down at the ground and didn’t notice anything. My husband suddenly told me to stop walking and turn around. If I had carried on walking I would have gone right past the body, which was hanging from a tree right in front of me,” the woman said, adding that emergency personnel had by that time arrived on the scene.

She stated that the police only arrived shortly before 6.30am.

“They did not cordon off the scene immediately and many early-morning walkers and joggers went right up close before they realised that there was someone hanging in the tree. Some were so upset and shocked that they immediately returned to their vehicles and left.”

According to another passer-by, the area was eventually cordoned off with red tape by 8am but the body had not yet been removed.

Responding to media enquiries regarding the incident, a police spokesperson, Lieutenant-colonel Dimakatso Mooi, confirmed that an inquest docket was opened following the discovery of a body in Trim Park.