The last photograph that Rozanne and Clinton Moonsamy’s took shortly before his disappearance last year.
Image: SUPPLIED
A Ballito woman, who was hoping to find closure from the forensic testing of a body suspected to be her missing brother, is distraught after insufficient DNA failed to confirm his identity.
This led to the unidentified body being given a pauper’s burial.
“This was the only solid lead we had. It could have proved if my brother was murdered, or if he was still out there,” said Rozanne Moonsamy, 31.
Clinton Moonsamy, 34, disappeared on February 2, 2025, after he visited Rozanne at her workplace in Shakashead.
She said he was her only sibling and living family member.
Weeks after his disappearance, Rozanne said she had contacted Umhlali K9 Unit policeman, Clinton Odayar, well known for his search and rescue successes, to help her track down her brother.
She said Odayar, who had since immigrated, helped her in her search.
“I told him about the rumours that my brother was badly beaten and killed in Shakaskraal. Some drug addicts who knew my brother claimed he was killed and his head was lying on the railway line in the Shakaskraal area. He said they broke my brother's bones, slaughtered him and threw him into the water.
“I asked Clinton to search the area with his dogs. While we were engaging, he told me about a decapitated body that he had found in the river mouth at the Umvoti River, in Stanger, on February 12,” said Rozanne.
“The body did not have a head and one arm was missing. It was severely decomposed and because it was in salt water and the DNA cells were killed. The body was in its skeletal phase.
“Clinton said that due to the drug addict's description of my brother’s death, and the body being found just after that, there was a strong possibility it could be my brother, and that it was worth sending the body for DNA for testing” Rozanne added.
In March 2025, Rozanne provided her DNA to the State forensic services for them to test against the body that was found.
Rozanne said when she checked in after three months, she was told that police had no budget to pay to transport the DNA samples to Pretoria.
“The police officer said that they were waiting for budgets in the next financial year so that they could send the samples to Pretoria. The results came in August 2025, on my birthday.
“I was told that the DNA from the body was insufficient, and that they had to take another sample from the body.
“The second test results were given to me in October. It was also indicating insufficient DNA. A third DNA sample was taken from the body in December. The results came in February, and I was told that it was inconclusive again, due to the DNA from the body being insufficient,” she added.
She said last month she called the detective to find out what the next step would be, and she was told that the State laboratory had taken a decision to give the body a pauper's burial.
“The detective said that the lab had taken the decision that they could not do any further DNA samples from the body because there was not enough DNA. He said that he did not know what more to tell me, and that they would proceed with a pauper’s burial.
“I asked if they could release the body to me, as I felt that this was the closest to finding closure I would ever get. But the officer said due to DNA evidence being inconclusive, they could not release do so.
“I tried every avenue to stop the body from being given a pauper’s burial. I thought that even if it was not my brother, at least the body would be given a dignified send off. Although my gut was telling me that the body was his, I will never know,” Rozanne added.
She said she felt stuck in an endless search for her brother.
“There was no closure and I cannot move on. I pray that South Africa gets better DNA testing equipment which would allow them to test the DNA of bones.
“I will continue the search for my brother. Maybe he is still out there and he needs me.
“I still follow up on leads about his whereabouts. I live with the hope of finding answers. I appeal to anyone with information to come forward and speak to the police so that I can finally get closure,” Rozanne added.