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Death in police cell

11/06/2012 00:00:00 MBONGISENI NDZIMANDZE

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MBABANE - A 26-year-old man of Manzana has died mysteriously and reportedly under violent circumstances while inside a holding cell at the old Mbabane Police Station.

Sihle Bhembe is alleged to have banged his head several times against the wall on Friday night and was only discovered on Saturday.

Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Wendy Hleta, in an interview, said Bhembe was fetched from his homestead after members of his family, reported to the police that he was behaving strangely and damaging some of the household items.

"He was to be taken to the psychiatric centre only to find that the form which is usually filled in before one is taken for examination did not provide all the necessary details.

"The history of a person’s mental background is required before he or she is referred to a doctor in such cases," she said.

Bhembe, who was working as a gardener at Thembelihle, had spent three days inside the holding cell as he was taken in by the police on Thursday night. Superintendent Hleta said an inquiry had been launched to ascertain the cause of death.

She added that their doors are open for the Bhembe family. "They should feel free to come to us if they want to say something as we are prepared to assist them," she said.

The family has questioned the circumstances surrounding the death. They battle to understand how the police did not hear Bhembe when he was allegedly banging his head against the wall, as the holding cells at the police post are close to the reception where there is an on-duty police officer.

Bhembe who was the last born in a family of three, is survived by his two year old daughter.

Deceased’s family wants independent pathologist

MBABANE - The family of the deceased wants an independent pathologist to examine his corpse as they suspect foul play in his death.

Sihle Bhembe’s elder brother Bongani said they would only be relieved once his brother’s body had been examined by an independent doctor to ascertain the cause of death.

"We don’t want a doctor who will be provided by the police," he said

Bhembe said he did not understand why his brother was kept in the police holding cell for two days.

Also sharing the same sentiments was his sister, who said the police were not telling the truth because after the incident the family was not called to go and inspect the corpse.

"All we need is the truth as to how our brother died. The police must stop claiming that he was mentally challenged as this was just an attack which was happening for the first time in his life," she said.

Comments

Its like Swaziland police are trained to do this to the innoncent when taken to the police cell. I just wonder how long will this continue unnoticed by the bosses, you are teaching us to hate police.
June 11, 2012, 11:01 AM, sibeko

Impela i wonder who will save the average Swazi from the brutality of these police, bacalaphi kubo Mathousand, bo Ngozo, Sipho Jele nyalo losisi waka PLS for nothing then this again......le justice sicela seyimane isebente otherwise our beautiful country is going to the dogs.
June 11, 2012, 11:01 AM, stylengz