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By Erica Abrahams

Digital Journalist


Man found burnt alive in KZN sugar cane field

When found, the man was still alive but died shortly after arriving at the hospital.


Mystery surrounds the death of a man who was found burnt alive in the sugar cane fields behind Empangeni Hospital.

A local security company made the gruesome discovery last Thursday afternoon when they found a man burnt beyond recognition, but miraculously showed signs of life, reports Zululand Observer.

According to reports from some services who were at the scene, both the man’s hands had been tied behind his back.

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He was rushed to Ngwelezana Hospital, but died shortly after arrival.

Cane cutters in the farming area who were apparently burning sugar cane for the next day only discovered that a person was in the field after it had already burned. It is not known how the man got into the field.

King Cetshwayo Cluster Police spokesperson Captain Mbongeni Mdlalose said an inquest has been opened into the matter.

He said that the police did not have knowledge of foul play.

“We believe that the sugar cane was intentionally set alight by a milling company. It is believed that the man had been caught in the fire.”

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KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)

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