Percy Banele Lukhele, who is homeless, has called for respect and awareness of the state of homeless people after the death of his friend, Welcome Siphesihle Zibukweni.
On September 11, Lukhele discovered the body of Zibukweni, a 31-year-old homeless man, near the highway close to Boeing Road in Bedfordview.
According to Lukhele, the state of the body indicated Zibukweni had been dead for days.
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“It had been days since I last saw him, so I decided to look for him. When I found him, it was around 08:00, and he had already started decomposing,” he explained.
Following his discovery, he immediately approached the Edenvale SAPS but said they did not take him seriously.
He then went to the Bedfordview Police Station, where he was again not helped.
He then approached a local security company to ask for help at about 13:00, and an employee called the police.
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She said the Edenvale SAPS told them the area where the deceased was did not fall under their jurisdiction, and they should call the Bedfordview SAPS, which they did, but the Bedfordview SAPS emphasised that it wasn’t their responsibility.
“We had to drive to the Bedfordview Police Station to explain what was happening and that we urgently needed help.
“There, they told us they had no vehicles because they were out and about. We didn’t get any help at all,” she said.
Lukhele said he was hurt that the police refused to take him seriously or see the matter’s urgency and believes it is because the matter involved a homeless person.
“I was so stressed because I didn’t know what else to do, and the thought of him spending another night there was just too much to bear. They don’t care about us because we don’t have money,” he lamented.
According to Lukhele, Zibukwen might have died from cold or hunger. He was eventually taken to a mortuary in Germiston at about 22:00 after the Bedfordview SAPS eventually attended the scene.
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Zibukwen would have turned 32 on September 12, as shared by his sister, Lerato Zibukweni.
She said they last saw him on May 26. He had said he was going to work.
The Bedfordview spokesperson, Sergeant Lillian Modiga, said the matter was reported to the Edenvale SAPS, and the complainant did not give clear directions as to where the body was.
She emphasised that the protocol for reporting incidents remains the same for all complaints, urging the public to ensure they give precise addresses or co-ordinates when reporting.
By dialling 10111, a relevant sector vehicle will be dispatched, and a docket will be opened (inquest) and registered.
“When the police arrived at the scene, members couldn’t find anything.
“The complaint in Bedfordview was closed as not found.
“Later, another complaint was registered and attended by another shift, who took the police to the scene and the body was found, thanks to the lady who volunteered to assist,” said Modiga.
“Complainants must ensure to give the proper address and good directions about to where the incidents – street address or co-ordinates. We are always striving for better service to our community.”
