3 Constables in court for torture of 41 year od male
in Msinga, Kwazulu-Natal
The Independent Police
Investigative Directorate (IPID) last night arrested 3 Constables for the
murder of 41 year old Philani Malinga in Msinga in June 2015. The suspects made
their first appearance today at the Msinga Magistrates Court on charges of
murder and defeating the ends of justice. The case was postponed to 12 August
for a formal bail application. The suspects are in custody.
It is alleged that on 03 June 2015 around midnight, the 41 year
old male was sleeping at his place of residence at Umsinga Top at KwaNocomboshe
area. He was surprised by unknown police officials in full uniform, who
demanded an illegal firearm from him. They took him from his room and woke up
his grandmother in order to obtain the key for the rondavel within the same
premises. He was handcuffed from behind, taken inside the rondavel and the
grandmother was chased away to go back to sleep. The victim was allegedly then
tortured inside the rondavel. The grandmother was called back and showed dagga,
which was supposedly found in the victim’s possession. It is alleged that the
police informed the victim’s grandmother that they were taking the victim with
them but that she found her unconscious grandson in the rondavel, as she was
trying to lock it. The victim was taken to the Church of Scotland Hospital, and
he was declared dead on arrival. The Post Mortem was conducted and it confirmed
that the cause of death was consistent with suffocation and assault.
