Puzzle of dead man with nine names
(File photo) (File photo)
Gauteng - One corpse. Nine names, but no identity.
This is the conundrum North West police are dealing with when they tried to identify a dead man by running his fingerprints through the system – and came up with nine different names and ages for him.
Now they have no idea which – if any – of these identities is correct or what the man’s motivation was for hiding his identity.
On Monday, Captain Adéle Myburgh said the man was found dead in a field near his house in Schweizer-Reneke on July 26. She said there was no foul play suspected as an autopsy had been performed and the man showed no signs of injury.
Neighbours told police the man was Setswana-speaking, but could provide little other information.
His fingerprints were linked to nine different names, all with different ages between 48 and 59.
These were his names: Jan Gosekuang, Johannes Mahlatse, Matlatse Mahlatsi, Osewang Matlatsi, Oujan Mokwatsi, Oupa Moopelwa, Petrus Moseki, Simon Motsatse and Willem Motseki.
Surprisingly, the fingerprints did not link him to any criminal activity, a frequent motivation for working under multiple names.
Myburgh said the unidentified man was a black man with a very dark complexion, short with a slender build and a goatee.
Police are looking for the man’s family. Contact the investigating officer, Constable Lehlohonolo Maine, at 053 963 9104 or 073 969 4754 if you can assist.
The Star