Eastern Cape police seek identity, next of kin of murder victim

The body was found lying in the bushes.

CAPE TOWN, November 23 (ANA) – Police in the Eastern Cape are calling for assistance in identifying and tracing the family of a murder victim.

According to a statement, police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said a 19-year-old teenager was found murdered on Friday.

Naidu said, according to information received, at 8.15pm, members of the Bethelsdorp police station in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan area responded to a complaint of a person lying in the bushes between Kroneberg in Extension 12 and Hibiscus Street in Extension 31.

“The body of a 19-year-old male was found with multiple gunshot wounds to his head. He is unknown by the residents in that area,” Naidu said.

She said the victim was wearing green chequered pyjama pants, a red and navy track Fila jacket, a Redbat golfer T-shirt, black Dakota shoes and a blue surgical mask.

“The circumstances surrounding his death is unknown at this stage and suspects are also unknown.

“Anyone who can assist police in identifying the teenager or may know his next of kin is asked to contact Detective Warrant Officer Johnny du Toit at SAPS Bethelsdorp on 082 442 1667 or Crime Stop 08600 10111 or the nearest police station,” Naidu said.

In an unrelated incident, Naidu said a 38-year-old suspect was arrested on Saturday after members of the Port Elizabeth K9 Unit reacted to information about four men walking in Stanford Road with firearms.

She said officers acted on the information and the group was spotted at a garage in the same road, but only one suspect was found to be in possession of a 9mm pistol, magazine and nine rounds of ammunition.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher