The Nyanga family is searching for answers regarding the whereabouts of their brother's remains, Freeman Xola Ngcozela, who was found dead in an informal settlement next to Epping Market on August 19, 2024. According to SAPS, Ngcozela was buried as a pauper without the family's knowledge. The family disputes parts of the police account and wants to give Ngcozela a proper family burial. Bongile Ngcozela, Freeman's brother, said they are still trying to find the remains.
SAPS reported that they found Ngcozela next to his wheelchair and opened an inquest docket since the person was unknown at the time. The investigating officer took fingerprints of the deceased for comparison and later established through fingerprint comparison that the deceased was Freeman Xola Ngcozela on December 1, 2025. However, by the time the family visited the investigating officer on April 14, 2025, Ngcozela had already been buried in a pauper's burial.
The family also disputes the DNA results provided by SAPS, which they claim have deepened their confusion. Bongile Ngcozela said that he and Xola had different fathers, which could explain the negative DNA result. However, their younger brother and Xola shared both the same mother and father, leaving the family questioning why that DNA comparison also returned a negative result.
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness said its Forensic Pathology Services had reviewed the matter and followed its mandate while working alongside SAPS and the relevant municipality. The department stated that formal identification of deceased persons falls within the mandate of SAPS, while Forensic Pathology Services provides forensic services and information in support of that process.
SAPS said they are still trying to assist the family through DNA comparisons and are awaiting a sister of the deceased from the Eastern Cape to provide a DNA sample. However, Bongile Ngcozela disputed this, stating that SAPS had never informed the family that another relative from the Eastern Cape was required for DNA testing and that the family does not have a sister.
The dispute has added to the family's frustration as they continue trying to establish exactly where Ngcozela was buried and whether the remains linked to the pauper burial are in fact his. The family alleges that the police have not made any effort to communicate with them, while they are trying to get more information from the investigating officer who has not been assisting.
The family expressed their desire to bury their brother properly, saying, "All we want to do is bury our brother." The Cape Argus also contacted the funeral home linked to the burial for comment, but management was not available when contacted. The family remains hopeful of finding Ngcozela's remains and giving him a proper burial.
Key points
- The Nyanga family disputes SAPS' account of finding and burying their brother, Freeman Xola Ngcozela, as a pauper.
- The family is searching for answers and wants to give Ngcozela a proper family burial.
- DNA results have deepened the family's confusion, and they are questioning the police investigation.
