Fingerprints bring big surprise
The identity of a body found hanged was questioned after prints did not match.
The fingerprints of a soldier found hanged at a Centurion shooting range two months ago have brought a big surprise.
They revealed that he was not Vusimuzi Hlatswayo as initially thought.
A relative of Hlatswayo, Sabelo Ndebele, said the Pretoria Forensic Pathology Services conveyed this information to him last week.
“A pathology staff member, Esther, told me that the fingerprints don’t match, and more DNA tests were to be done,” said Ndebele.
The decomposing body believed to be that of Hlatswayo was found about two months ago by soldier David Matlako at the Snake Valley shooting range. It was hanging from a tree.
Hlatswayo was working as a soldier at Swartkop air base at the time of his disappearance.
Going by his name plate, Matlako said he and other soldiers believed the dead man was Hlatswayo.
Five days after Hlatswayo went missing from his workplace, a woman was found murdered about 500m from where the hanged body was found.
It later emerged that Repetowne Johlidze used to be Hlatswayo’s girlfriend and the assumption was made that he killed her before committing suicide.
Ndebele said it was hard to break the news to the family who attended the so-called killer’s funeral a month ago.
Ndebele said the family was distraught because this meant they might never get answers.
The body previously believed to be that of Hlatswayo remains at the pathology services for more tests.
“Pathology service staff said they were still to confirm the identity of the man found hanged,” said Ndebele.
Also read:
Solider found hanged after girlfriend’s killing
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