Police investigating the recent discovery of bones on a beach at the KwaZulu-Natal holiday resort of Umhloti are expecting to receive an ”interim analysis” from the state pathologist this week.
Durban organised-crime unit head Senior Superintendent Rajen Aiyer said he is expecting an interim report on the bones washed up on the beach at Umhloti’s northern beach before the end of the week.
The bones, which have prompted a media frenzy amid speculation that they may be linked to alleged child killer and paedophile Gert van Rooyen, were discovered protruding from the sand on March 21 after the KwaZulu-Natal coast had been pounded by heavy surf.
The bones were discovered by a local doctor and on March 23 taken to the police’s forensic-science laboratory in Pretoria.
Aiyer, who is heading up the task team to investigate the bones, said: ”There is no evidence to say that these bones are linked to Van Rooyen. There is a whole lot of speculation. This entire thing has been blown out of proportion. Allow us the opportunity to complete any analysis and to investigate.”
He said the bones may have even belonged to burial sites inland near the town of Verulam. He was aware of one cemetery in Verulam ”where it was 80% washed away by floods some years ago”.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said the forensic-science laboratory would try to determine the age of the bones as well as the cause of death.
Media reports last week had quoted Captain Raymond Boucher, the uncle of one of Van Rooyen’s victims, as saying that police in Umhloti had contacted relatives.
Mdunge on Tuesday pointed out that there was no police station in Umhloti. — Sapa