Man found hanging from pylon
Cops probe apparent suicide of Malawian man in Strand
Man was found hanging from pylon
Image: SAPS
MOTORISTS were met by the gruesome sight of a body hanging from an electricity pylon on an open field near Strand Main Road on Monday morning at around 6.30am.
The cause of death is believed to be suicide after the deceased, who is a 46-year-old Malawian national, was found with a rope around his neck.
The City of Cape Town’s Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson, Jermaine Carelse, said the fire crew from Strand was called to the scene around 7.40am and had to cut the body of the deceased free.
Carelse explained: “The incident was reported at around 7.40am of an adult male hanging from a pylon near Burger King in Strand Main Road on an open field.
“The fire crew from the Strand Fire Station responded to the emergency call and had to cut the barbed wire to reach the victim.
“Just as they finished cutting the wire, the rope around the victim’s neck snapped and he fell to the ground.
“He was declared deceased by medical personnel and the scene was handed over to the South African Police Service.”
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi confirmed that the circumstances surrounding this incident are now under investigation.
Swartbooi said: “Strand police found the body of a man with a rope tied around his neck on an electric tower.
“Strand police registered an inquest for further investigation.”
Meanwhile, just three and half kilometres down the N2, a man was found dead in his car in the Melcksloot Village Centre parking lot in another apparent suicide.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg confirmed: “Somerset West police registered an inquest for investigation after the body of a 27-year-old male was found inside his vehicle with an open wound to his head on Monday morning, 6 October 2025, at about 8.45am.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death.”
Anyone with any information who can assist with the investigations can contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111 or use the mobile application MySAPS anonymously.