Warning Graphic Images: Forensic investigators probe evidence from bloody guest room

A grim scene in a lodge guest room in Kempton Road has left readers speculating as to what had happened.

The Express honed in on the apparent lack of police investigation, since Kempton Park SAPS officials at first could not yet confirm whether an inquest docket was opened.

ALSO READ: WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES: Bloody CBD guest room – What happened in this room?

It wasn’t until a few days later, on May 7, after the Express broke the story about the guest room online, that the station spokesperson, Sgt Dipuo Ditshego, confirmed an inquiry was opened.

“The forensic department was summoned to the scene. The evidence will establish if that was blood in the room and to who [the blood] belongs to.”

Ditshego said the investigation is still premature and full details will be released once the investigation is finalised.

P&C Security and ER24 were initially called to the scene on May 3 for assistance and confirmed to Express a body could not be found.

A knife was located underneath the mattress of the bed. According to the owner of the lodge, *Lester, the room had been occupied since May 1. Lester said the person made a second payment on Sunday afternoon.

“He paid cash, which he took from a black plastic bag that was later found on the scene.”

The scene was discovered by the lodge’s receptionist on Monday morning, according to Lester.

“My receptionist knocked on this particular door and said there was no response. She opened the door and saw all the blood but that nobody was inside.”

On May 4, Lester confirmed he had checked the lodge’s CCTV footage, which showed a man entering the room alone carrying a small zip-bag.

P&C Security’s area manager, Rudolph Espach, said he visited the lodge again on Tuesday and verified the footage revealed the male guest leaving on Monday at around 6am.

“He exited the guestroom with no signs of injuries. He seemed perfectly normal,” said Espach.

During this mystery guest’s stay, footage showed another man talking to the guest in question on Sunday evening.

Espach said the second man never entered the room. According to the footage, he left after approximately 40 minutes.

When asked whether his lodge requests a guest’s ID number upon check-in, Lester said they only record the names and cellphone numbers of guests.

“Unfortunately, our records don’t have the guest’s cellphone number,” he admitted.

Ditshego’s initial statement on May 3 confirmed police were summoned to the scene on Monday but that no case had yet been opened.

“SAPS members could not open a case for investigation as they could not determine the nature of the investigation.”

She was also asked whether the police received reports of any bodies found in the area since the scene was discovered. Ditshego did not answer this question upon separate requests made on May 3 and May 6.

ALSO READ: Three bodies found in three month

Brakpan woman’s (34) body discovered in the Vaal River

On May 6 a warrant officer from Villiersdorp SAPS contacted Express to enquire about the nature of the bloody scene in Kempton CBD.

The officer referred to the case of Yolandi Botes, who was reported missing before her remains were discovered in the Vaal River.

He said the woman was last seen at OR Tambo International Airport on April 26.

“She went missing after she had taken an Uber to take her home.”

According to the provincial head of communication for SAPS in the Free State, Brig Motantsi Makhele, a foot was found floating in the Vaal River.

“It was confirmed the body was that of the woman who was reported missing in Brakpan. The linkage could be made by a tattoo she sported,” Makhele stated.

People are speculating whether the remains of Botes could be linked to the bloody guest room. However, no official confirmation has been made whether the two are linked. According to Sec Pros’ operations director, Gerald Groenewald, the mystery surrounding the bloody guest room could have a logical explanation.

Groenewald said: “We see this sort of thing all the time. It could be a member of the underworld that was injured due to a stab or gunshot wound. They would normally check-in at a motel to stitch up their own wounds to avoid any speculation of criminal activity.”

A media enquiry was sent to the provincial SAPS spokespeople on the matter. No feedback was received by the time of going to print.

* Name changed.

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