The Mangaung Metro's Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Technical Services has urged residents to remain calm following the shocking discovery of a body in a manhole near Silver City, Phahameng, in Bloemfontein.

The grim discovery was made on Thursday (26/9) afternoon when a team from the metro's Technical Services Department responded to a complaint from community members about a sewage spillage from a blocked manhole.

According to Metro MMC for Technical Service, Vusi Soqaga, the maintenance team was inspecting the sewer network to locate the source of the blockage when they noticed the manhole was open. Upon further inspection, the team found a heavy object covered in black plastic and they immediately contacted the police.

A body was discovered, covered in a black plastic bag inside a manhole at Silver City, Phahameng in Bloemfontein. Photo: Screenshot  

The South African Police Service (SAPS) took over the scene and retrieved the body. The Free State police spokesperson, Loraine Earle, said the identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed, and the cause of death remains under investigation.

“We appeal for calm from the community as the matter is now in the hands of the police," Soqaga said. He also emphasised the importance of residents staying vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities around sewer networks. "Tampering with manholes and sewer systems hampers the municipality’s efforts to address the ongoing sewer challenges in the area. We ask residents to assist us by reporting such incidents.”

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg