Bethal police and the Forensic Pathology Service are appealing to the community for help in locating the families of two deceased men whose bodies remain unclaimed at the Bethal Government Mortuary.

Both men were found at separate locations in July after community members discovered their lifeless bodies and alerted police.

The bodies have now reached an advanced stage of decomposition, making it urgent to trace their next of kin. Preliminary investigations identified one of the deceased as Thabo Happy Mokoena (40), who was found near Damvaal Street.

He has a tattoo on the inside of his left arm bearing the name Tsepiso, believed to be the name of his child.

The second deceased is believed to be Mfanimpela Thomas Nkosi (62), whose body was discovered near Vuyisile Mini Street.

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Police recovered a smart identity card from his pocket, assisting with his identification.

Emergency Medical Services, the Secunda Local Criminal Record Centre, Bethal detectives and Forensic Pathology officials attended both scenes.

Nompilo Mohale certified the deceased, while Bakkie Jele transported the bodies to the Bethal Government Mortuary.

Police urge anyone who may know the families of the deceased, or anyone with a missing relative, to contact Detective Sergeant Linda Shabangu on 082 923 1592.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Thomas Mogadime reminded the public that there is no waiting period to report a missing person, encouraging families to report disappearances immediately at their nearest police station.

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