'Cop lied about
teen murdered in police cells'
21
July 2016
Dominic
Adriaanse
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has found that a
Beaufort West warrant officer lied about hourly checks being made on the
holding cells where Gerdo Karelse was murdered.
Cape Town - A Beaufort West police warrant officer lied and must
be charged in connection with the death of 18-year-old Gerdo Karelse,
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson Robbi Raburabu
said.
Gerdo
Karelse, 18, was taken into custody on June 26 and was found dead in the
holding cells the next morning.
The teenager was taken into custody on June 26 and was found dead
in the holding cells the next morning. He had been kept in the cell with a
fellow detainee, 29-year-old Zuko Mqungquthu, who had been arrested for
domestic violence.
Mqungquthu was charged for Karelse’s murder. He appeared in court
on June 28 and it was discovered that the teenager’s naked body was found in a
pool of blood and had severe facial wounds.
After Karelse’s murder, Ipid conducted an investigation.
“We found the warrant officer on duty lied in his report about the
conduct of police that morning. Proper procedure regarding hourly checks of the
holding cells were not followed,” said Raburabu.
The warrant officer had said that other officers conducted checks
of the cells that morning, but Ipid’s probe found the officers were in fact not
on duty, said Raburabu.
“We will submit these findings to SAPS and recommend this officer
be charged.”
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said while he could not comment
on the Ipid probe, police have concluded their investigation into Mqungquthu.
“However, the accused is still being detained awaiting the
availability of a bed for psychiatric evaluation.”
Mqungquthu is expected to return to the Beaufort West Magistrate’s
Court on August 5.
Karelse’s mother, Sannie Wyles, said Ipid’s investigators visited
her last week, but gave no information on their investigation.
“I hope that they charge this officer who allowed this to happen
to my son. The truth may be clear now, but the police must act according to the
law and let this officer answer for what he has done.”
dominic.adriaanse@inl.co.za
Cape Times
