Human remains nothing but charcoal
What initially looked to be two charred bodies still smoldering, turned out to be two tree trunks, when police were called out to a scene of a "double murder" on Saturday morning.
The wild goose chase ensued after a frantic phone call from Mr Sam Mkwanazi to the SAPS shortly after 08:00.
Mr Mkwanazi spoke to the Observer on Wednesday explaining the misunderstanding, which led to the SAPS and local fire brigade rushing to the scene where a burning black heap lay waiting.
On closer inspection however, it was found that the heap was nothing more than two stumps that were set alight during the night.
“I was on night shift at work when I received a call from security guards monitoring the industrial site, Khanya Laboratories, belonging to my brother Mr Motsepe,” Me Mkwanazi said.
Mr Motsepe’s name was not revealed.
Mr Mkwanazi told the paper that he heard wailing and cries, but since he couldn’t leave his post immediately, he didn’t call the police, since he couldn’t investigate himself.
Rabid tree huggers would argue that it was the trunks screaming, but the police and fire brigade could not help chuckling.
Shortly after 08:00, upon his arrival, Mr Mkwanazi saw the smoldering stack and decided to call the police, who in turn notified the fire brigade.
Both arrived with sirens blaring only to find a sizzling pile of charcoal.
W/o Lize de Witt confirmed the call out, as did the fire brigade.
On Wednesday, Khanya Laboratories owner, again only introduced as Mr Motsepe, denied the incident saying “the town’s best detectives could do a walk through on his property to prove it”.
Not even his brother’s revelation that it was him that phoned the police, could sway him into believing the farce.
According to security personnel stationed at the gates at the time of the Observer’s visit, they were new and also knew nothing about the strange occurrence.
In a second discussion with Mr Mkwanazi about the confusion surrounding the incident, he insisted that the Observer talk to the security manager that was on duty who phoned him. He however, was also not identified.
