POLICE have opened an inquest docket after the shocking discovery of a human skeleton lying in a donga on a farm in Harrismith, Free State on Monday, 15 August.
The skull and other bones were scattered around the scene.
Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring said the remains were suspected to be that of a man.
They found a pair of blue jeans, a brown belt, a pair of yellow All Star takkies, and a pink jacket.
Mophiring said police were informed about the discovery from residents who were just walking.
“The gathered remains have been taken to state pathologist in Phuthaditjhaba,” said Mophiring.
A 46-year-old community member who asked to remain anonymous said staying at a farm can be dangerous.
“There is no safety on our farms. No electricity during the night and criminals are doing as they wish. No police visibility. The small population on rural farms is permanently living in fear. Even if we take a stand to activate anti-crime patrollers, police don’t give us support or assist with resources,” said the community member.
The incident happened not far from where seven people were brutally murdered in a farm attack under ward 1.
Ward 1 Councillor Mandlenkosi Dlamini said there is a new habit of killing people somewhere else and dumping the bodies in the farms around Harrismith.
“The behaviour is now reaching a boiling point. On several occasions, residents found mutilated bodies on farms, which left the whole community traumatised. We hope police intelligence will find those heartless perpetrators. The crime rate in our farms is very scary. We need police visibility on a full time basis. Not only when there is a tragedy,” said Dlamini.
