PI finds Harding woman’s charred remains

INVESTIGATIONS leading to the kidnapping and murder of Nicolene Hamann (34) of Harding continue.

The mother of three disappeared from her Harding home in July and was missing for almost a month before her charred remains were found at a dump site just kilometres from her house.

According to reports, Nicolene’s family has hired a private investigator, Christian Botha, who is working closely with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI). Organised Crime Unit in Port Shepstone has traced her cellphone which had been sold after a woman found it at the dump site.

Officers traced Nicolene’s cellphone to a repair shop, where the owners had apparently made a copy of the sellers’ identity document. Investigations then led police and the PI to a township were they questioned two women who found the phone while sorting rubbish at the dump.

While questioning the women the private investigator noticed ash close to where the phone was uncovered and after digging around the area found a human tooth and small finger bones. He had also found a ring that was identified as belonging to Nicolene.

For now, Botha and the detectives await the results from the DNA testing on the human remains found at the dump site.

A family relative, Venaar Hamann said the death of Nicolene had shocked the entire family. “What happened to her was terrible and we hope that the investigations will lead to an arrest soon”.