Second female body found in Cape Town's notorious abandoned 'crèche of death'

Marsha Dean|Published 3 weeks ago

Police investigate the circumstances of another body found at abandoned crèche in Heideveld.

Yet another body of a woman, believed to be naked, was found on Sunday evening in Heideveld's notorious "crèche of death".

The property, which was formerly known as Rainbow Educare, has now become a crime hotspot in the community.

The body is the second found at the same abandoned building in Jonkershoek Road.

Last year, the charred body of 40-year-old mother Hilda Lewis was found after she had been murdered and set alight with paraffin inside the building.

Police spokesperson, Joseph Swartbooi, said Manenberg police registered an inquest for further investigation concerning the latest incident.

“Manenberg police responded to a complaint on Sunday, 11 May.

"Upon arrival at a vacant structure in Jonkershoek Road in Heideveld at about 7pm, they found the body of an unidentified female.

"The victim was declared deceased on the scene by the medical personnel. The circumstances surrounding this incident are now under investigation.”

Forensics remove the body of a woman found at an abandoned crèche in Heideveld.

Vanessa Adriaanse from the Manenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) said the woman's body was found by the tenants in Heideveld and according to word of mouth, the body was allegedly found naked.

“This is a big concern not just to the CPF but for the wider community because this is the second female body that was found in this vandalised building," said Adriaanse.

"It is not normal to the community to wake up and find dead bodies anytime of the given day or night and then there is no explanation.

"It is known that the deceased was not living long in Heideveld and according to word of mouth, she has been in Heideveld for about a month and also had challenges with substance abuse and this vandalised building became home to her.

"The incident has put the community in panic because a lot of our people are passing this vandalised building early in the morning and late in the evening because it is situated in one of the busiest places in Heideveld where people need to get their taxis to go to town or work.

"A lot of our school children pass this building so it is leaving a big concern.

"It is so sad that vandalised buildings have to go to waste and has become the hub where gangsters and people using substance abuse use it to do their things."

Adriaanse is calling on local government to use these vandalised buildings and give it to non-profit organisations, churches or community organisations to be utilised or become a safe place.

Community in shock as second female body is found in abandoned 'crèche of death in Heideveld.

Police are appealing to anyone with information to call Crime stop on 08600 10111.

Cape Argus