Shock filled the Krugersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning when a man was found hanging inside the court’s glass tower, prompting police to open an inquest into his death.

Krugersdorp News reports that, according to West Rand K9 Unit spokesperson Warrant Officer Reinier Henning, although suicide is suspected, an inquest has been opened.

“The cause of death will be confirmed upon further investigation,” Henning says.

He confirms that the man was found hanging by shoelaces, which were handed in for forensic investigation.

“At this stage, we are uncertain whether the man gained entry to the tower from the inside or the outside, but one of the top windows was removed,” he states.

Mogale Fire and Rescue station officer Jaco van der Westhuizen says they received a call at 06:44, with resources on the scene including Krugersdorp Fire Station 38, Police Search and Rescue and Pathology.

“We faced the challenge of the position of the body, which was about 20 metres high. However, the recovery operation went smoothly and all teams worked well together,” Van der Westhuizen concludes.

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