Alex police are investigating the puzzling death of a man whose decomposed body was found at the Royal Court flats on the corner of 11th Avenue and Alfred Nzo Avenues on 25 October.
Flat residents found the victim in a small room housing electricity meters while they were searching for the source of an incessant stench which they thought came from dead rats. The maggot-infested half-naked body was lying next to the door. He was identified as Joseph Sestini, in his mid-fifties.
Nomathemba Magubane who lives near the crime scene, said the smell was first detected on 16 October. It intensified over the weekend prompting them to search all over the flats. This led to their gruesome discovery.
“When I opened the door, the stench from the body consumed by maggots was nauseating,” said Magubane. The police were called to the scene. They summoned the forensic unit, who took the remains to a government mortuary.
A deeply upset Magubane said the victim was dressed in short pants while his trousers and a pair of shoes were found next to him. A wallet containing his bank card, drivers’ licence and DA membership card was found in the trousers.
The deceased’s nephew arrived at the scene and also positively identified the documents as those of his uncle. He said they hadn’t seen him for a while and rumours were doing the rounds that he had been kicked out of the house where he lived with other relatives. The deceased apparently sold belts on the streets and did other odd jobs before his death.
Police spokesperson Captain Allie Kodisang said the police investigation will help to determine the cause of his death.
Details: Alex Police Station 011 439 7718/9
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