The family of the late Robert Benjamin, 79, whose decomposed body was discovered in his cottage on Thursday January 10, at the Parktown Snapdragon Cottages, say they are disappointed that nobody had checked on him sooner.
It seems that the body was in an advanced stage of decomposing, as maggots were all over his cottage by the time his body was discovered.
Mr Benjamin lived at the independent living seniors’ complex for 12 years. He was not married and did not have any children.
His niece, Shiehaam Cassiem, said she and her uncle had regular contact, but that the last she heard from him was on Friday December 28.
“Somebody saw him collect his pension on Saturday December 29, and it seems like that was the last time he was seen alive. I received a call from the police on Thursday January 10, to inform me of his passing. They fetched me from home and brought me to the complex. By the time I arrived there, I could not enter, as the police tape was around the cottage,” Ms Cassiem said.
When she inquired from the caretaker about his role at the complex, she said he “became stroppy with me”.
“I don’t blame anybody for my uncle’s death. I am just disappointed that his body laid in his cottage for so long.”
Ms Cassiem’s daughter, Samantha Witbooi, said the smell was unbearable.
“My uncle did not deserve this. He was a kind man, very helpful and he was very neat. I remember as children, he always reprimanded us to wash our socks when we came from school. We had to clean up that cottage. The whole cottage was full of maggots. We don’t want this to happen to others. The police were very helpful and we thank them for that,” Ms Booysen said.
Ms Cassiem was not able to positively identify his body because of the advanced stage of decomposing. This leaves the family with more challenges, as it could take up to two months for identity to be confirmed, and only then, will they be able to lay his body to rest.
The Western Cape Health Department’s Mark van der Heever said it was explained to the relatives that because “visual identification is not possible, identification in this case has to be through scientific means, namely fingerprinting and or DNA”.
“The fingerprint process was explained to the relatives and they were also advised to speak to the investigating officer and for the investigating officer to liaise with Salt River Mortuary.
“The identification is the responsibility of the SAPS,” Mr Van Der Heever said.
Depending on the circumstances, this process could take up to two months.
The Parktown Snapdragon Cottages is owned by the City of Cape Town. There are 18 rental units at the complex and all the tenants live independently.
Malusi Booi, the City of Cape Town’s Mayoral committee member for human settlements, extended his condolences to the family.
He said the role of the caretaker is to report repairs and maintenance at the old age complex.
“Conducting random inspections of the units is not a rule as the privacy of tenants is respected. It is customary for tenants to visit their families over the festive season or to go on vacation; hence it was not expected that the tenant would be deceased in his rental unit,” he said.
When asked whether there were any schedules in place at the complex, Mr Booi said: “The old age complex is not a frail care facility, but comprises rental units leased to senior citizens from the housing database who can still look after themselves and wish to live on their own.
They are responsible for themselves with the assistance of family members (those who have family). Those who cannot live on their own anymore or look after themselves, are brought to the attention of social services to be housed in frail care facilities.”
Lieutenant Clive Nicholas from Athlone SAPS confirmed that an inquest docket had been opened.