Three years after an Eastern Cape woman was reported missing, police believe they may have made a breakthrough in the case.
Eastern Cape police said the remains of a female were found on the Sacramento Trail in Schoenmakerskop on December 1, 2024 at around 9am.
Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge said it is suspected to be the remains of Silvia Wittal.
The 45-year-old went missing on December 30, 2021.
According to a police report in 2021, Wittal left home without informing anyone where she was going and has never returned.
"After an extensive search for three years, she was never found, but the new discovery could be the breakthrough in the mystery."
Beetge said the partial remains, which include a skull, as well as personal belongings of Wittal were found.
"DNA testing and further forensic analysis of the remains and belongings will be conducted to confirm the identity of the deceased person."
Last month, a Cape Town man, who was reported missing after he went hiking in Newlands Forest was found dead.
The body of 66-year-old Dhananjaya Naidoo was found on November 20, 2024, five days after he went missing.
Western Cape police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said Naidoo’s body was found on a contour path in the Newlands forest.
“An inquest was registered for further investigation.”
Twigg said a post-mortem would be conducted to determine the cause of death.
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