The Vereeniging police are appealing to members of the public to assist in locating the family or relatives of a deceased individual, identified as Khotso Mahlaba, born in 2006.

The appeal comes after an incident that occurred on March 5, when the deceased was allegedly struck and fatally injured by a white Mercedes-Benz that was travelling at high speed in the area.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Nthabiseng Mokhachane says a case of culpable homicide was subsequently opened and is currently under investigation.

“During the course of the investigation, police were informed that the deceased was known as Khotso Mahlaba and that he may have resided in Orange Farms Extension 1. Officers visited the area and conducted extensive enquiries, but unfortunately, no relatives could be located.”

Mokhachane says it has since been established that the deceased was living on the streets of Vereeniging at the time of the incident, and no one from the local community has been able to confirm where he originally came from.

Detective Sergeant Hannelie Kruger of the Vereeniging SAPS is leading the investigation and urgently calls on anyone who may have information about the deceased or his family to come forward. Identifying and locating his next of kin is crucial as the matter is set to appear in court on August 13.

Members of the public who can assist are encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Kruger directly on 066 294 6681, or reach out to Vereeniging SAPS on 082 558 2348. Alternatively, they can call SAPS emergency services on 112, 10111, or 08600 10111, or make use of the MySAPS app.