A statement from Unicef confirmed that the decomposed body found near Platteklip Gorge last week, was that of Charlotte Nikoi who went missing more than two months ago.
After weeks of searching for Ms Nikoi, her body was found last Tuesday (“Body of female discovered on mountain”, Atlantic Sun, June 1). Provincial police have also confirmed that an inquest into her death has been registered.
Ms Nikoi, who is from Ghana and works for Unicef, was visiting Cape Town on holiday with her family (“Search is on for missing woman”, Atlantic Sun, March 30).
At the time of her disappearance on Human Rights Day, Tuesday March 21 she was walking down Table Mountain.
She had reportedly started descending the mountain on her own after reaching the summit with her husband and daughter. Her, husband Chris is expected to be back in South Africa this week.
“We learned with great sadness that the remains of our colleague Charlotte (Nana Yaa) Nikoi have been found,” Unicef said in a statement issued to the media.
“All of us at Unicef are deeply saddened by this news and express our personal sympathies to her family.
“Nana Yaa was a committed colleague who devoted the past 18 years of her life to the work and values of the United Nations.
“Her warmth and steadfast support will be missed by all those who knew her. Nana Yaa was reported missing on March 21 while on a family vacation in South Africa. We thank the South African authorities for their efforts and we are grateful to all those who assisted. We ask that her family’s privacy be respected in these very difficult times.”
Provincial police spokesman Captain FC Van Wyk confirmed that the body discovered was that of Ms Nikoi.
“DNA tests done confirm that the body found on Table Mountain on Tuesday is that of the missing Charlotte Nikoi,” he said.
