Human remains, including bones and skulls, were discovered Tuesday morning at an illegal dumping site near Isipingo, south of Durban. The remains, wrapped in several blankets, were found by waste pickers in the area.
According to witnesses, the remains are believed to have been removed from a private cemetery in the Durban area. One witness, who stated they had disposed of waste at the location, indicated the materials originated from a local private cemetery, though police have not yet confirmed this claim.
The discovery unfolded in two stages: a single human skull was recovered from the site the previous evening and removed by forensic services. On Tuesday morning, waste pickers uncovered three additional skulls along with human bones among discarded waste.
A local councillor expressed serious concern about the discovery highlighting community fears about exposure to hazardous materials and the possibility of additional remains being found.
Residents have long raised concerns about service delivery challenges in the community, with the illegal dump site representing one of several ongoing issues.
Police are continuing their investigation and have sifted through the area. All recovered remains have been taken into custody by forensic services for further examination. Authorities have not yet released official confirmation regarding the origin or identity of the remains.
Efforts to contact representatives from the private cemetery referenced in witness accounts are ongoing.
