Junaid Kirsten’s body recovered at Slovo Park bridge

For Junaid Kirsten‘s (28) family, the events leading up to the discovery of a bound Kirsten’s body at the Joe Slovo informal settlement bridge on March 14, will always have them questioning whether the earlier intervention could have prevented his untimely death.

Kirsten left the family home on March 12, ostensibly to return later the same day. His failure to arrive back home, set off alarm bells as this was unusual for him.

His sister Nisha Trimmell said, “Junaid would normally leave for between two to three hours, but would always come back home.”

A frantic Nisha Trimmell would contact the Eldorado Park Police Station to file a missing person’s report on March 13. By this time, the Pink Ladies Organisation for Missing Persons had circulated a flyer with Junaid’s details and a contact number for residents to call if they spotted him.

Kirsten shared a two-year-old daughter with ex-girlfriend Hajira Warywa (30) who describes him as a popular, well-known personality whose numerous nicknames attested to just how well-known he was within the community.

Junaid’s mother, Feroza Trimmell said, “I did not want to be seen as a drama queen seeking attention, but I felt compelled to start searching at the places he normally frequented and found it strange that no-one knew of his whereabouts.”

Feroza continued by thanking community leaders Cheryl Pillay and Dereleen James for the overwhelming support following the discovery of Junaid’s body at the bridge in Joe Slovo Park.

Community activists, searching for signs of three other missing youths from Eldorado Park, discovered Kirsten’s body and alerted community leaders and family members who positively identified him.

Warywa added, “Justice must be served and the perpetrators should receive the maximum sentence under the law for his senseless murder.”

“Everyone who knew him loved him and for his life to end in this manner is a big shock for us.”

The family is incensed at media reports that his death was drug- or gang-related and mother Feroza said, “Junaid was no drug dealer and was not affiliated to any gang in any way.”

Eldorado Park Police communications officer, Phillemon Khorombi called on residents to assist in the investigation by providing information to police and said, “We are appealing to residents to come forward with information because we cannot afford for any information to slip through our fingers. The arrest of anyone involved in Junaid’s death will assist police and provide closure to the family.”

While investigations are continuing, three men suspected of having a hand in Junaid Kirsten’s death escaped a mob justice attack by Extension One residents and were taken into custody on March 15 but were subsequently released.

In the meantime, rumours abound and a family grieves the murder of their son, brother and father in the midst of a steadily climbing death toll which seems to be affecting male youths in their twenties.

Others read:

1. WATCH: Mob charges Eldos Police Station charge office (audio included)
2. Eldos community joins hands in search for missing boys