File picture: SAPS (Twitter)
Claremont police are trying to find a dead woman’s next of kin.
Zeld Minaar, 52, was fatally stabbed by a man on the corner of Pinetree Avenue and Imam Haron Road, on Monday December 13 last year, according to Claremont police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Marnus Fourie.
“The suspect was arrested the same day. However no relatives could be traced as of today to assist with her positive identification and retrieval,” he said.
The suspect, Patrick Sithela, was charged with murder by Claremont police.
The Tatler was unable to clarify the status of the case with the National Prosecuting Authority by the time of publication.
Ms Minaar’s body had been at Salt River mortuary since her death and would be given a pauper’s burial if no one came forward to claim it, said Lieutenant Colonel Fourie.
Her last known address was near Browns Farm, Philippi, but she had lived on the streets in recent years.
“The detective dealing with the matter has tried in vain to trace her family. He has been to her last known address to track down family, but to no avail.”
The Claremont police do not have any recent pictures of Ms Minaar and the ones they do have are not suitable for publication.
She is described as short with brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing jeans and a T-shirt at the time of her death.
If anyone has information that can help in this investigation or can assist in identifying Ms Minaar, contact Detective Sergeant Regan Manual at 069 500 1360 or 082 869 1564.