Cape Town - DNA tests conducted on the decomposed body found in the Silvermine Nature Reserve have confirmed the identity of missing City of Cape Town staffer Alistair Stanbull.
While police have yet to indicate whether they are now investigating a murder docket amid claims that Stanbull was a victim of foul play, his former employer has confirmed DNA tests were completed and he was laid to rest several weeks ago.
Stanbull’s mysterious disappearance on April 29 caused a stir when he went missing after allegedly going hiking.
Stanbull, who was employed in the City’s human settlements department, was implicated in a R2.5 million fraud scandal and arrested along with a colleague in November 2022. He was later released on R10000 bail.
At the time the State alleged the employees of a construction company, including the directors, supplied false invoices to the City and allegedly misrepresented some of the work they charged for as being finalised.
Stanbull allegedly allowed the invoices to be authorised even though they knew the work had not been completed.
He was reported missing on April 29 and search teams from the City subsequently searched the mountain slopes for several days with no results.
A week before Stanbull was set to return to court, along with his co-accused, police revealed that officers from Kirstenhof had been called to the scene where the decomposed body had been found.
Police spokesperson Joseph Swartbooi said an autopsy would be conducted to confirm the cause of death and an inquest docket was registered for further investigation.
Speaking to the Cape Argus, City manager Lungelo Mbandazayo confirmed they had been informed of the outcome of the DNA tests.
“I can confirm that we were informed that the DNA tests confirmed his identity and he was buried several weeks ago.
“As things stand, the disciplinary process undertaken by the City has been brought to a halt as a result of his death. At the time of his death, he was facing disciplinary action.
“In terms of the criminal case, they normally withdraw the charges when an accused passes on but that investigation is an SAPS investigation.”
During the last court appearance for the fraud case in June, Stanbull’s absence was explained by the prosecutor.
Asif Khan, Abdul Khan, Uwais Khan, Irfaan Khan and Abdullahtief Abrahams from Ilitha Painters and Decorators appeared alongside Stanbull’s colleague Adam Majiet on charges of fraud, attempted forgery and unlawfully interfering with the City’s Supply Chain Management Policy.
Addressing the court, the State prosecutor said Stanbull had been marked absent for the first time since the case had commenced, which was set down for a pre-trial conference.
The prosecutor also told the court that police believed that he was a victim of foul play. The case became hamstrung as the court could not proceed until the outcome of the DNA tests were available and the case was postponed to September 20.
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said: “This office cannot divulge any further details at this stage. The investigation into the matter is still ongoing.’’