Tension around boy’s death

Alex police are dealing with a tense situation as their colleagues in Bramley investigate the death of a young Alex man, allegedly from drowning.

Mpho Seema, a Malandela Mighty Heroes soccer player disappeared on 24 August in the Innesfree Park area. His body was found four days later in a nearby dam by his relatives and park security guards who were assisted by Emergency Management Services.

Seema was buried at his home village in Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga over the weekend of 2 September and all the family had gone to the burial, including his teammates and officials. The Heroes was granted a postponement of all its games to next weekend.

Alex Police Station spokesperson Captain Allie Kodisang said the family filed a missing person’s report at the station which was handed over to Bramley Police Station, the station of jurisdiction, for investigation.

“We hope the investigation and post mortem results will dissolve the tension between the deceased’s family and the soccer club that was at the park practising when he was last seen,” said Kodisang.

“It is alleged he called the club’s coach to excuse himself from practice, claiming there was a death in the family. The coach seemingly excused him and expressed his condolences.

“But while his teammates were practising, the deceased and another boy allegedly pitched up, with him covering his head in a hood, supposedly to disguise his identity. He allegedly snatched a club kit bag and the two ran off.”

This he added, prompted a chase by the teammates and club officials, forcing Seema to drop the bag. “His friend was caught but he disappeared in the reeds at the dam. Later, he came out but went back in again when he saw his pursuers still around and didn’t emerge again.

“The family, which thought he had been at practice, contacted the coach when he didn’t come home but the coach told them of his request to be excused. He also told them that he did pitch up later when others were practising but disappeared at the dam after the chase by his mates.”

Kodisang said it seemed there was a suspicion that Seema had been dumped in the dam already dead.

Security and a passerby said the body was discovered on the fourth day, floating in murky water. They alleged that when his friend was with the family during the search, he showed signs of having been beaten.

Details: Alex police station 011 439 7718/9.

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