The body was found around 16:00 between the Middelburg Toll Plaza and the weighbridge towards Middelburg.

A housekeeper employed by the family of late farmer Dolf Rossouw was gathering wood in the area when she stumbled upon the suicide scene.
A tog-bag containing some personal items and a Bible belonging to the deceased was found next to his body.

Investigators, however, received some clues to the man’s identity after phoning a cell phone number which was found in the front of the Bible.

Upon phoning the number, investigators were told that the number belonged to a good Samaritan who gave the deceased a lift from Barberton to Nelspruit three years ago.
He told investigators that he picked up the deceased, who told him he was on his way to visit family members in Nelspruit.

The man further said that the deceased introduced himself as “Ashley”, and he can recall him having a “double-barrel” last name.

The man was neatly dressed in a durable black jacket, black pants and brown shoes.
The blue tog-bag is also in good condition, with white lettering.

The man had light, short-cropped hair, and a well-manicured moustache.

The body, which was in an advanced state of decomposition, was found in a kneeling position with a rope still tied to a branch.

Attempts by the Middelburg Observer to trace the Samaritan have been unsuccessful.

The police are appealing to the public to assist in identifying the man.

Pastor Jannie Jacobs, who is well acquainted with local drug addicts and the homeless, said the deceased was unknown to him.

The deceased will be buried as a pauper by the state after sixty days.

Anyone with information should contact their nearest police station.