UPDATE: Komatipoort murder victim is NOT Hendrik van der Merwe
Police investigations into Mr van der Merwe's disappearance continue.
UPDATE: 4.30pm
Police have now confirmed that the body found at Komatipoort near Hectorspruit last Saturday as that of Hennie de Beer of Machadodorp.
Police confirmed the positive identification and stated that investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death are continuing.
According to the investigating officer, Captain Louis Stander, Hendrik van der Merwe’s family also visited the morgue earlier today (Monday) and confirmed that the body was not that of Mr van der Merwe.
Police investigations into Mr van der Merwe’s disappearance continue.
>>>>>>>
UPDATE: 3pm
Despite original confirmation that the body found was indeed that of Hendrik van der Merwe, there now seems to be some uncertainty surrounding this.
While one member of his family last Saturday reportedly confirmed it was him, another today expressed their doubt.
Police have now ordered a DNA test to conclusively determine the identity of the body.
>>>>>
UPDATE: Monday July 22, 9am
Police and the family have confirmed that the body of a man found at Komatipoort last Saturday, is that of Hendrik Kristoffel van der Merwe (60) of Sunwich Port.
Mr van der Merwe was reported missing on July 1. He was last seen by his fiancé after he left for home after a prayer meeting. When she arrived home he and his car were not there, but his cellphone had been left behind.
Mr van der Merwe’s friend Colin Wardell said Mr van der Merwe’s sister had identified his body on Saturday. “The community of Sunwich Port, his family and friends are still in shock. Police have still not found his light blue Uno and they are continuing with the investigation, however a white bakkie was found near his body,” said Mr Wardell.
He added that the family thanked everyone for their support and prayers during the search.
>>>>>
Original story – Sunday, July 21
The body of a man found on the N4 at Nkomazi near Hectorspruit early yesterday (Saturday) morning is believed to be that of a missing South Coast man.
According to the Corridor Gazette pedestrians discovered the body at the Mjejane settlement towards Komatipoort. It is believed that he was clad only in his underwear and a shoe.
According to police spokesman Constable Natacia Mbuyane he had suffered injuries to his head and police suspect he was struck with a panga.
Police spokesman Sergeant Sibu Ncane said police are waiting for the man’s family to make a formal identification tomorrow (Monday) before confirming that it is the man reported missing on the South Coast earlier this month.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
To receive our FREE email newsletter, click HERE
