The human bones that had been reported to have gone missing from a government mortuary in Standerton on March 19 have been found.
The remains, which are subject to a police investigation into the murder of a former officer, the late Capt Johannes Engelbrecht (62), were found in Newcastle, Kwazulu-Natal on March 23.
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According to Brig Leonard Hlathi, the SAPS had been informed by their counterparts from the Department of Health that the bones had been mistakenly collected with two other human remains that were scheduled to be taken to Newcastle.
“The officials then alerted their colleagues in Standerton as soon as they had realised that an error had occurred. As a result, it has now been established that the bones were never stolen. However, the investigation into the murder of Engelbrecht continues,” said Hlathi.
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According to SAPS reports, Engelbrecht was reported missing by his family in October 2020. The police then launched a search for him without any success until March 12 when Sanele Msimang (26) handed himself over to the Harrismith Police Station in the Free State.
It is alleged that Msimang informed the police that he had killed Engelbrecht, who had been his employer in Standerton, somewhere last year and buried his remains in a shallow grave. Msimang was then detained at Harrismith Police Station and arrangements were made to bring him to Standerton to face charges for this act.
On March 15, Msimang arrived at Standerton Police Station and cooperated positively in all aspects of the investigation including the pointing out where he had buried the victim. Engelbrecht’s remains were exhumed and taken to a state mortuary for further investigation.
Msimang appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on March 18 facing charges of murder. His case was postponed to March 23. His bail application is scheduled to be heard in the same court today.
