RESIDENTS of Thabo Mbeki squatter camp near Cape Town are in shock after seeing the body of a man hanging from a tree next to the N2 highway.
Resident Nomalizo Zazeka (42) said she saw the man earlier but didn’t know his plans were to end his life.
“I was shocked when I heard some community members saying there was a man’s body hanging from a tree next to their shacks,” she said
Most people in the area had seen the man just before he killed himself. Some had promised to give him shoes and clothes as it was clear he was struggling.
Nokonwaba Bhango (52) said: “I asked him where he came from. I could tell he was from a neighbouring country.”
She said if he had opened up to her, she could have helped him.
Police spokeswoman Sinathi Joni said: “An inquest case has been registered at Nyanga Police Station subsequent to the discovery of an unknown man estimated to be in his 30s hanging from a tree.”
Joni said the deceased was wearing black tracksuit pants, a black-and-white hooded tracksuit top and was barefoot.
“Circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” said Joni.
Nyanga police have urged the community to help identify the deceased by calling the station on 021 380 3300, or Crime Stop on 0860 010 111.
