Mark Minnie, co-author of the controversial book, The Lost Boys Of Bird Island, was found dead on the outskirts of Port Elizabeth on Tuesday morning.
The book that Minnie co-wrote details how three former National Party (NP) ministers, one of whom is still alive, allegedly ferried coloured minors to Algoa Bay’s Bird Island. Here, the boys were allegedly molested and forced to satisfy the sexual fantasies of these men.
Netwerk24 reported that police do not suspect foul play, and that an inquest docket has been opened. Minnie was 58-years-old at the time of his death, and was found at his friend’s farmhouse in Theescombe at approximately 9pm.
Speaking to the HeraldLIVE, police spokesperson, Captain Johann Rheeder, said that Minnie had been at his friend’s farm since 9am on Tuesday morning.
The friend left Minnie to go out with workers, and found the former policeman and author missing from his room upon returning.
“The friend then went home and went to the deceased’s room and noticed he was not in the room. He looked for the deceased and found him lying near a bush with a gunshot wound to his head. A firearm was found next to him,” Rheeder added. “At this stage no foul play is expected.”
Minnie co-authored the book with reporter Chris Steyn, and identified former NP defense minster Magnus Malan, former environmental affairs minister John Wiley, businessman Dave Allen and other statesmen as the alleged paedophiles of Bird Island.
Malan died in 2011, while Wiley and Allen both committed suicide in 1987.
Minnie and Steyn claim in the book that the investigations launched into the alleged paedophile ring were halted by authorities.
Minnie, who is originally from Port Elizabeth, resides in China, but was in the city on vacation.
Picture: Twitter