Gqeberha fire inquest changed to murder probe after pensioner’s car found

The 65-year-old woman's car was found abandoned in Gqeberha and evidence collected at the scene suggested there could be foul play.

Sep 14, 2022 - 12:04
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Gqeberha fire inquest changed to murder probe after pensioner’s car found

A woman was found dead in her Fernkloof flat in Humewood, Gqeberha on Tuesday, 13 September. The police were alerted to the fire in Park Drive at approximately 8:00.

FOUL PLAY SUSPECTED IN GQEBERHA FLAT FIRE

At first, an inquest docket was opened, as the cause of the fire was unclear. The 65-year-old woman’s partially burnt body was found in the bedroom of her second-floor flat.

The case was changed to a murder probe after evidence collected at the scene suggested there could be foul play.

South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu said the Humewood detectives are conducting the investigation.

On Tuesday afternoon, a white Ford Fiesta, which belonged to the woman, was found abandoned along Victoria Drive.

“The woman cannot be named until her next of kin can be traced and according to sources, she has a son in Gqeberha therefore police need to urgently locate him,” said Naidu.

Members of the public with information that could assist the investigation are encouraged to contact the investigating officer Detective Constable Ridwaan Baatjies at 073-130-3018, SAPS Humewood at 041-504-5019 or Crime Stop at 08600-10111.

In an unrelated incident on Monday night, Bukelwa Klaas and her 10-month-old daughter, Likhaya, perished in a fire in Elijah Street, Walmer Location in Gqeberha. They were asleep when the blaze started.

READ MORE:  10-month-old baby girl, mother and a 65-year-old woman die in separate fires

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