Missing man found in Rondebult Road sinkhole with bullet wounds to the head

A murder investigation has been launched after the body of a man was found floating in the water-logged sinkhole in Rondebult Road, in Comet, on May 27.

The victim, who was identified as Bernet Mokatane (36), had bullet wounds to his head.

Mokatane was from the nearby informal settlement in Comet and his family last saw him with friends on the evening of May 24.

On May 27, shocked residents watched as a dive team, the police and forensic pathologists removed Mokatane’s body from the sinkhole.Speaking to the Boksburg Advertiser at the scene, the deceased’s brother, Thabang Matsabisa said the family became worried after Mokatane was nowhere to be found on Sunday, May 25.

They started looking for him, making enquiries in the neighbourhood and talking to people who were last seen with him, but by Monday morning he was still missing.

As the family and friends continued to search, someone made the disturbing discovery, spotting a body floating in the sinkhole on Monday.

Boksburg police confirmed that they received a report about a body in the water and they responded along with the water rescue unit to remove the body.

The victim’s identity was subsequently confirmed by his family on the scene on Tuesday.

Police said a murder case has been registered and investigators are still trying to determine how he died.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boksburg police on 010 497 9907.

Attacked?
While police are still trying to figure out what could have happened, some residents in Comet, not far from the hole, have a theory regarding how the man may have died and how the body got there.
They believe he was ambushed by criminals who shot him and then disposed of his body down the sinkhole.

Information gathered also suggests that the man was walking along Rondebult Road from Boksburg North in the early hours of Sunday morning, making his way home to Comet and was attacked and dumped into the sinkhole.

Police searched the victim’s pockets and found some of his personal belongings, including R20 and a cigarette lighter.

Mokatane’s family and friends said they are battling to come to terms with his murder.

“It’s heartbreaking and we can’t believe he’s gone. I don’t know why somebody would kill my brother and still have the audacity to throw his body into a sinkhole,” said the grieving brother, Matsabisa.

The family described Mokatane as a people person and a man who related easily to fellow residents and enjoyed going out to have fun with friends.

Hotspot
Residents said the section of Rondebult Road near the sinkhole is very isolated and dangerous, especially at night, and there have been several incidents of pedestrians being targeted by criminals.

Police also acknowledged that the area has become a problematic spot, and they advised pedestrians to avoid using it, particularly at night.

Residents are also advised to walk in groups instead of alone.

Despite the danger to pedestrians and the fact that the over two-year-old sinkhole continues to gradually swallow a section of Rondebult Road, the City of Ekurhuleni and provincial government are still grappling with a solution to the crisis.

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