Hanged soldier case continues
The family of a soldier whose decomposed body was found hanging from a tree, has run into difficulty trying to secure his body from the pathology services which insists on more tests.
Gopolang Chawane
The family of the soldier whose decomposed body was discovered at Snake Valley shooting range in Centurion three weeks ago, finally found their relative last Friday after a lengthy search.
The family is now faced with riddles of administration as the Pretoria forensic pathology service department insists on tests and procedures be followed before the body is released.
A relative, Sabelo Ndebele, told Rekord the family found the body of their loved one at a pathology service lab. A spokesperson said they had to do more tests and wait for DNA results to confirm his identity and gather evidence.
Ndebele said Vusimuzi Hlatswayo was born in 1984 in Newcastle and the family wanted to lay their relative to rest next to his family.
A pathology service representative, who asked to remain anonymous, said lab doctors usually dealt with investigating officers and not family.
He said the investigating officer was the one who provided information to the family.
Doctors go through extensive research and analytical steps to ensure the report provided to investigating officers remained factual and detailed.
He advised the family to keep in regular contact with the investigating officer instead.
Hlatswayo was found hanging from a tree, in an advanced stage of decomposition, by a soldier, David Matlako, on patrol and was identified by the name on his uniform shirt.
Matlhako told police he had picked up a bad smell and investigated, along with fellow soldiers.
“They found their colleague still wearing his uniform,” said Matlhako.
Hercules police spokesperson Captain Bonginkosi Msimango said it was believed Hlatshwayo killed his 27-year-old girlfriend, Rapetowne Beulaha Johlidze, the Monday before.
Msimango said Hlatswayo stopped reporting for duty at Swartkops Air Force Base on 5 October. This was the same date his girlfriend was found murdered.
His girlfriend was found about 400 metres from where Hlatshwayo’s body was found hanging.
Police spokesperson Constable Tumisang Moloto said Johlidze was lying near her Renault Sandero vehicle with multiple stab wounds.
“At 12:30, air force personnel in a chopper spotted a maroon vehicle parked in an isolated spot next to the shooting range,” he said.
“The body of a woman was lying on the ground next to the vehicle and they contacted the police,” he said.
“Her personal belongings were left untouched inside the vehicle and it was established she resided in Tembisa,” Moloto said.
Also read:
Soldier found hanged after girl’s killing
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