More than two months after he was reported missing, the family of Dwayne Nash (45) say they are relieved but still seeking justice following the identification of his body.

Lowvelder reports that Nash went missing on February 4 after reportedly informing domestic workers at his rental residence that he would be away for a week and would not require their services.

According to his sister, Belinda Britz, the body was in an advanced stage of decomposition. Identification was made on March 26, based on Nash’s false teeth, which had a distinctive chipped front tooth.

At the time, the family had been awaiting DNA confirmation due to the condition of the remains. While the identification has brought some closure, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.

Body found under suspicious circumstances

His body was found hanging from a tree off the R40 near Swartfontein, Mpumalanga, on March 6, with his head covered in plastic. Items found nearby included car keys, a Formula 1 cap and a cigarette lighter.

Belinda’s son, Heinrich, said Nash suffered from multiple sclerosis and diabetes, which severely affected his mobility.

“There is no way that he could have walked the distance from where his vehicle was found to where his body was,” he said.

Family raises concerns over investigation

A week before the discovery, Nash’s vehicle, a Daihatsu Rocky, had been found stripped in a nearby plantation, a few kilometres from where his body was located.

The family previously criticised the police investigation, alleging that key scenes were not properly secured and that potential evidence may have been overlooked. This follows Heinrich’s visit to the scene, where he discovered Nash’s ID, while a rope and some of the remains were still present. His wallet and cellphone were missing.

The family also raised concerns about delays in the initial response after Nash’s abandoned vehicle was reported. A forestry investigator, who requested anonymity, said he had seen the vehicle as early as February 9 and repeatedly contacted the Hazyview Police Station. Six days later, the vehicle had been moved and was later found in a nearby plantation.

Police previously confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened, and Belinda said the death certificate lists the cause of death as unnatural. She added that police indicated foul play is being investigated.

“We recently learned that material believed to be from a rain jacket, used to cover Dwayne’s head, has been sent for forensic analysis, and police are following up on leads,” she said.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Colonel Mavela Masondo said the postmortem results are still outstanding and the investigation is ongoing.

Family awaits closure

The family is planning a memorial service for Nash while they wait for his ashes.

“It feels unreal that he is gone. We hope justice will prevail,” Belinda said.