Macassar police requests the help of the community to aid three separate murder investigations launched after three bodies, two of which remain unidentified, were discovered in the area.
The first of the discoveries was made on Saturday 27 September, when a male victim was found following an apparent assault in an informal settlement along Macassar Road.
“On Saturday, around 19:30, a police officer was approached by community members and informed of a man dead in the yard of a shebeen,” a police report stated.
“On his arrival the black man was found lying on his back with an open wound to the back of his head.”
It is believed the incident allegedly occurred after an argument between the deceased and the suspected perpetrator. The report further related that a relative of the deceased approached police at the scene, explaining the victim had been confronted by an unknown man, leading to an argument.
The relative said efforts to intervene and stop the altercation failed. The suspect then allegedly drew a firearm and struck the victim over the head.
The victim collapsed and the suspect fled the scene, firing a shot in the air before escaping in a silver Volkswagen Polo with a CF registration.
The deceased was identified as a 44-year-old man from Macassar Village. The suspect remains at large.
A second fatal discovery was made in the early hours of Wednesday 1 October. According to a police report, an unknown victim with a gunshot wound to the head was found along Macassar Road at the Kramat and Albatros roads intersection at 04:49, after an ambulance crew passed by the scene and alerted authorities.
The report stated that six cartridges and one projectile were found at the scene and seized as evidence. The identity of the deceased, who was found wearing a blue denim skirt, remained unknown.
While robbery has been ruled out, as the victim’s personal effects were found at the scene, the motive for the shooting remained unclear and forms part of the murder investigation launched by police.
The third discovery was made at 10:00 on Saturday 4 October, when police officers responded to a scene along a gravel road leading to a youth care centre.
“Officers were called to the scene where the community discovered a body lying in the field that had been set on fire,” a police report related.
“On their arrival, the body was still burning. The victim was already deceased and burnt beyond recognition.”
A police spokesperson confirmed the deceased also had a visible open wound to the head.
The report further revealed that witnesses had reported seeing a medium-sized white delivery vehicle leaving the gravel road shortly before billowing smoke and flames were seen emanating from the area and the body was discovered.
Anyone with additional information which could lead to a breakthrough in the respective murder cases, is urged to come forward and alert the police by calling the station on 021 857 7100 or the acting station commander Warrant Officer Cobus Greeff on 021 857 7125.
