Man dies at hands of police
27 July 2012 | Narda Vermaak
LYDENBURG - Two female police officers are facing charges of culpable homicide after a man fell from a police van, sustaining serious head injuries and died on the scene.
According to reliable sources, Mr Jan Masilela (31) suffered an epileptic seizure when police were called out to the scene in the hope of calming him after the episode.
Two female officers responded to the call-out and apparently ordered Masilela into the back of the van, neglecting to handcuff him and failing to secure the doors of the vehicle as they drove off.
Mss Ivona Combrink and Vivian Flank contacted the police after Masilela had one of his fits. "He was never aggressive and even climbed into the van. He did, however, become somewhat confused after suffering seizure episodes," Combrink explained.
According to Mr Douglas Flank, a community member, it appeared as if the officers drove from Kellysville extension to Mashishing and again back to Kellysville with Masilela in the open van. "Several pedestrians called out to them to warn them about the swaying doors of the vehicle. They apparently ignored the warning shouts and signs of the witnesses."
According to Mr Douglas Flank, a community member, it appeared as if the officers drove from Kellysville extension to Mashishing and again back to Kellysville with Masilela in the open van. "Several pedestrians called out to them to warn them about the swaying doors of the vehicle. They apparently ignored the warning shouts and signs of the witnesses."
Witnesses say that Masilela was allegedly clinging to the door handles of the car when they drove away from Kellysville the second time.
As they approached town, Masilela apparently climbed out of the moving vehicle onto the roof. He allegedly lost his balance and fell onto the curb of the road sustaining critical head injuries. He died on the scene.
Mr Moses Dlamini, independent police investigative directorate (Ipid) national spokesman said, "It is alleged that the two female police officials were attending to a complaint of a mentally ill patient who was to be taken to hospital.
The details relating to reasons for the man being picked up are unknown at this stage as the two officials have not yet been inter-viewed. The information received is that upon their arrival, the man climbed into the police van on his own accord. They never bothered to have him handcuffed. The door was also not secured with a padlock."
He confirmed the events as stated by the various witnesses.
He confirmed the events as stated by the various witnesses.
"It is also alleged that after he fell, the police continued to drive further and only stopped a while later. The man was then discovered dead on the scene," Dlamini said.
He verified that a case of culpable homicide was opened, registered and taken over for further investigation. "No arrests have been made but clearly the police officials have a case to answer to."
He verified that a case of culpable homicide was opened, registered and taken over for further investigation. "No arrests have been made but clearly the police officials have a case to answer to."
According to Flank, he demanded a thorough investigation into the matter. "He (Masilela) did not commit any offence. Why was he thrown into a police van? Why did the officers not call for an ambulance to check his vitals after the seizure? Why was the necessary manpower not called out to investigate? Rumour has it that he allegedly had a knife and threatened them, if so, why has no knife been recovered and if he was a threat, why was he not handcuffed?" asked Flank.
Masilela's brother, Mr Johannes Beukes said that his brother had been suffering from epilepsy since 2008 and was on medication. "I work in Johannesburg and used to come and visit him during holidays. We grew up in Lydenburg and he stayed on after our mother's death in 2008. Everybody knews him. He was not a threat to anyone. As soon as the incident occurred, numerous friends started phoning me with the terrible news. Kellysville is a small community and everyone knows everyone. My brother was a good person," Beukes explained.
Flank said in the spirit of Nelson Mandela Day, she decided to dedicate her 67 minutes to the Masilela family who lost their loved one by the hands of the police as a result of their negligence. "Ï will be pushing for the immediate suspension of the officers, pending the speedy investigations by the Ipid and that murder charges are brought against the officers.
"I will be engaging the services of Adv Mario Jungbluth to monitor developments in this regard because the merits of this matter are straight forward. They must also bear the costs of the funeral," Flank told Lydenburg/ Steelburger News.
