July 2021 looting: Burnt body found one and a half years later

[Nat Quinn]

A year and a half after riots and looting caused a shutdown in parts of KZN and Gauteng and claimed over 300 lives, human remains have been discovered buried beneath debris at Tembisa Plaza.

The discovery was made on January 17 by construction crews working to rebuild the Shoprite at the centre after it was destroyed by a fire during the July 2021 riots, when a gas cylinder in the building caught alight.

According to information obtained by The Thembisan, 12 people – thought to have been in the area of the plaza – never returned home and were reported missing. It was suspected that they were trapped in the burning building.

The plaza was deemed hazardous and was shut down after the fire.

Six bodies were found and identified on July 26, 2021, according to Colonel Nthipe Boloka, the commander of the Tembisa Police Station.

Six other people, however, remained missing.

Because of where the latest remains were found, police suspect the person might be one of the missing riot victims.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says contractors discovered the body while conducting a building inspection.

“Following the discovery of the remains, police officers and various SAPS role-players were called to the scene.

“Officers assembled at the site again on January 18 and waited for the contractor’s safety officers to deem the area safe to work in.

“While searching the area, a human skeleton was found in one of the passages.”

The remains were taken to the Germiston mortuary and construction was halted to allow for a comprehensive search.

Mathe urges family members of those still missing after the 2021 riots to contact the police as soon as possible.

 

July 2021 looting: Burnt body found one and a half years later – LNN – Springs Advertiser

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