Early morning commuters were greeted with a grim scene this morning after security staff in Town Centre discovered the body of a man at the taxi rank at the centre’s busiest time of day.
Solomon Philander, the Sub-council 12 chair and the councillor of Ward 116, of which the busy transport interchange and shopping centre forms part, issued a press statement on Monday 26 January, saying the body was discovered at the Northern Terminal taxi rank in Mitchells Plain.
Philander said on-site security guards found the man’s body at 6:00 and contacted Emergency Medical Services. Paramedics, who arrived at 07:30, and declared him dead on arrival.
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“At around 8:32, a family member arrived and identified the deceased,” Philander said.
The relative confirmed that the man had been living on the streets, he added.
Philander extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, adding that State Forensic Services removed the body at approximately 09:20.
Const Ndakhe Gwala, of the police’s provincial centre, said Mitchells Plain police registered an inquest docket after the 34-year-old man’s body was found in Seventh Avenue, Eastridge, which is one of the lane’s in Town Centre.
“He was found lying lifeless on the pavement with no visible injuries and he was declared dead by paramedics. No foul play is suspected,” Gwala said.
Philander said: “This incident serves as a solemn reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by vulnerable members of our community, particularly those experiencing homelessness.”
He thanked the security personnel, emergency responders, and forensic services for their professional handling of the matter.
