Cops face murder charges after suspect dies during questioning
13 August 2013 11:47
Two police constables are
expected to appear in the Alice Magistrates’ Court on charges including murder.
The men, both detective
constables, aged 27 and 32, were arrested on Sunday after the death of
20-year-old Bathandwa Kula, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate
(Ipid) spokesperson Moses Dlamini said.
Kula apparently fell
unconscious while the two police officers were questioning him.
“On 11 August 2013, the
deceased and another suspect were arrested and taken to the police station for
questioning in connection with a housebreaking case,” Dlamini said.
“It is alleged that the
deceased was questioned in one of the offices used by the detectives and he
became unconscious. He was rushed to Alice Hospital where he was declared dead
on arrival.”
The Ipid planned to oppose
bail. In addition to murder, the two faced charges of attempted murder and
defeating the ends of justice.
“At the time of his death,
the deceased was not detained on the allegation of housebreaking. He had
visible injuries all over his body,” Dlamini said.
- Sapa
