Investigation launched after human remains found in Elands Bay
The area near the sports field by the railway line in Elands Bay has been cordoned off by SAPS after human remains were discovered, with heritage authorities leading an assessment of the site.
Image: Cederberg Local Municipality/ Facebook
Human remains discovered near a sports field and railway line in Elands Bay are under investigation by heritage authorities, amid indications they may be of First Nation origin.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Cederberg Municipality confirmed that a case had been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) following the discovery.
“The area has been cordoned off by SAPS, and the Municipality is working with Heritage WC and SAPS to monitor the situation,” the statement said.
According to the municipality, Heritage Western Cape has indicated that the remains may be of First Nation origin and is leading the process to determine their significance in line with heritage legislation and established protocols.
Elands Bay is officially recognised by the Western Cape government as an area of major archaeological and cultural importance, anchored by Elands Bay Cave, which was declared a Provincial Heritage Site in 2009.
The declaration by Heritage Western Cape, in terms of the National Heritage Resources Act (Act 25 of 1999), affords the site formal legal protection and recognises its value in documenting tens of thousands of years of human occupation along the West Coast.
The protected status covers archaeological deposits, rock art and the surrounding cultural landscape linked to precolonial hunter-gatherer communities. Any excavation, development or disturbance in the area requires approval from the provincial heritage authority.
The municipality said it is working closely with SAPS and Heritage Western Cape to monitor the situation.
Franquinn Petersen, Director of Community Services and Public Safety, has been named as the municipality’s lead contact for the matter.
The municipality said: "A case has been reported to SAPS regarding human remains found in Elands Bay, near the sports field by the railway line. Authorities believe the remains may be of First Nation origins, according to Heritage Western Cape, "the statement read.
"The area has been cordoned off by SAPS, and the Municipality is working with Heritage WC and SAPS to monitor the situation.
At this stage, authorities have not released further details about the remains or the circumstances under which they were found.
Media enquiries were sent to both Heritage Western Cape and SAPS. SAPS had not responded to enquiries at the time of publication.
The municipality said further updates would be provided once the heritage assessment has been completed.
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