FOLLOWING the article, SAPS forensics fails family in the Highway Mail, the Secretariat of Police has instructed the Pinetown SAPS to speed up the investigation of Tamlyn Smith’s death.
Tamyln was found dead in her apartment in the Rivermead complex in Pinetown last October, but her death remains a mystery.
Jenny Irish-Qhobosheane of the Secretariat of Police responded to the article after her mother, who lives in Pinetown, read the article in the Highway Mail two weeks ago. Shocked at the manner in which the case was handled by the attending officers, she contacted councillor Tim Brauteseth who was helping the family find answers, and promised to get get someone to look into the case.
Major Bafanyana Magubane of the Pinetown SAPS Violent Crimes Unit, was instructed to visit Tamlyn’s mother, Georgie Smith, last Wednesday. He informed her that a new investigating officer, W/O Sibiya, had been assigned to the case.
He also said that there had been a delay in the toxicology report for DNA analysis and was hoping to speed up the report.
“The scene of the crime was the most important piece of information and we are aware that the correct procedure was not followed. We are definitely going to investigate the disappearance of Tamyln’s clothes, said Magubane.
He also apologised to Georgie and said the authorities found it unacceptable for members to laugh at a scene of a crime, especially under those circumstances.
Cllr Brauteseth was pleased that the matter was receiving senior level attention.
“I am in personal daily contact with Mrs Irish-Qhobosheane and will be driving this process vigorously to it’s final conclusion without fear or favour in respect of the memory of Tamlyn Smith and in the pursuit of justice in this matter,” said Brauteseth.
