*Story contains graphic image.
Lavender Hill residents made a gruesome discovery on Monday when they came across a burnt out body on a veldjie near Prince George Drive.
Steenberg police were called to the scene where the charred remains could be seen in a ditch along a gravel road known as “ die gryspad” behind the Rondevlei Nature Reserve shortly after 8am.
A 23-year-old mom, who asked not to be named, says they were shocked to see smoke emanating from the body shortly before 8am.
“I just came from dropping my child at crèche and the people were talking so I walked up here to come and see, and there was no police so I phoned them.
“To me it looked like a man, but the body was badly burnt so you couldn’t see lekker.
“One of the voetjies was broken and the smoke was still coming out at the back.
“There are no houses here, so people didn’t see anything.”
Charred body found on veldjie in Lavender Hill. Picture supplied
Police spokesperson, Siyabulela Malo, confirms the incident and says: “The post-mortem will be conducted to determine the race and gender of the deceased.”
Meanwhile, Community Police Forum chairperson, Gavin Walbrugh, says the murder has shocked the community.
“Our concern is also about the fake messages that did the rounds with people claiming it was a woman that was raped, but this was not verified,” he says.
Police have urged anyone with information of who has a missing relative to call Steenberg police on 021 702 9000 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111.