Chairman of the conservancy Jane Trembath said she had assigned Saber Tactical, the new Lakefield security company, to work inside the sanctuary at Victoria Avenue and Drury Lane, as a lot of litter washes into the lake through the stormwater system.
While they were working there, they discovered a human skeleton lying in the reeds.
“There was also a handbag and rucksack nearby, which one of our volunteers retrieved out of the mud,” said Trembath.
She said the skeleton had clearly been there for some time, although less than three years, because it was found next to a tree that was felled in October 2011.
“We believe it is the first time a body has been found in the conservancy, and I hope the police will be able to discover the identity and shed more light on the circumstances.
“I was grateful to Saber Tactical for helping the conservancy’s clean-up, but also that it was them who made this tragic discovery, as they were best qualified to deal with it,” said Trembath.
Police forensics were called in to remove the remains.
Benoni SAPS spokesperson Lieut Nomsa Sekele said it is not yet known if the skeleton is of a man or woman, or how long has it been there.
Sekele hoped the forensic results will shed more light.
