NELSPRUIT – The Provincial Commissioner SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has learned with shock an incident in which a young man who was admitted in hospital was surprisingly found hanging on a tree. The incident occurred in the early hours of today, 16 June 2022 at Schoemansdal in Nkomazi.

According to the information at around 08h00 am police and the paramedics received information from members of the public about a lifeless body of a man in the bushes. Upon arrival at the scene the young man was found hanging on a tree whilst wearing the attire normally worn by patients in hospital. He was unfortunately certified dead by the medical personnel. An inquest case is being investigated by the police.

Preliminary investigation has since revealed that the 21-year old man who has not yet been identified by his family was earlier admitted as a patient at Shongwe Hospital but then reportedly discharged himself earlier in the morning without permission from the authorities at the hospital.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has been saddened by the death of the young man and on the same breath made a clarion call upon young people to make use of social services for their well-being whenever they are troubled with life issues. “Young people are the future of our country. It is therefore sad that this incident ironically happened in the time in which the country celebrates youth day. We urge young people to seek professional help whenever they are faced with life challenges” said the General.

Source: South African Police Service