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Slim chances Sipho Jele was killed - pathologist

04/09/2010 00:00:00 WELCOME DLAMINI

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MBABANE – Police patholo gist Dr R.M Reddy did not dismiss the possibility that late political activist Sipho Steven Jele died through homicidal hanging.

However, he said the likelihood of this death was minimal and estimated it at between one and two per cent.

Reddy was giving evidence before coroner Principal Magistrate Nondumiso Simelane during the resumption of the inquest into the death of Jele yesterday.

The member of the proscribed People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) died controversially at the Sidvwashini prison after allegedly committing suicide by hanging himself with a piece of blanket.

In his testimony, Reddy said the absence of a platform on which the deceased could have stood on so as to tie the blanket around the beam on which he hung was the only reason that could suggest Jele’s death was assisted.

He said the absence of the platform made Jele’s death an unusual suicide but explained that evidence collected and examination conducted on Jele favoured suicidal death.

The absence of the platform is the same reason that led independent pathologist Dr Perumal to also describe Jele’s alleged suicide as unusual.

Yesterday, attorney Leo Gama questioned Dr Reddy: "Because of the absence of a platform, are you saying you can’t rule out assistance?"

The pathologist responded: "It’s an unusual suicidal hanging. Yes, it cannot be excluded. The absence of blood form favours suicidal hanging. Between one and two per cent is in favour of homicidal hanging due to the absence of a platform."

The doctor had earlier informed the inquest that there were no signs, either on the deceased’s body or on the scene, to suggest that there could have been a struggle before Jele allegedly committed suicide thus homicidal hanging was minimal.

The coroner asked: "At the scene where the deceased hung we gathered that there were other people there. Is it possible that while the deceased was asleep, a person prepared a cloth, tied a knot, strangled him to render him unconscious and unable to fight and then hung him on the beam?"

"It’s a difficult angle to say it’s a homicide. We need signs of struggle. The scene of crime is also important. Through the photos that we see there was no blood at the scene of crime," Reddy replied.

He added: "The struggle signs should be on the deceased’s body as well as at the scene. That’s why Jele’s body was extensively examined."

He further testified that the knot of the blanket on Jele’s neck was "typical hanging and goes in favour of suicide".

Through his findings, the doctor concluded in his report: "Post-mortem findings consistent with constriction of neck. However, viscera, tissues, bold, urine preserved for further examination."

Dr. Reddy’s conclusion is consistent with that of Dr. Perumal who also said Jele’s death was consistent with constriction of the neck through ligature.

Pathologist taken to ‘death cell’

MBABANE – Coroner Nondumiso Simelane yesterday visited the Sidvwashini prison for a second inspection in loco of Sipho Jele’s death cell.

This time around the coroner asked that police pathologist Dr RM Reddy be part of the team that also included prosecutor Phila Dlamini and attorney Leo Gama.

"I ask that you (Reddy) accompany us to the Sidvwashini correctional facility where the deceased died. There are questions that might come up during the inspection and you would help provide answers," Simelane said before departure.

In his post-mortem report, the pathologist wrote that he went to the death cell on May, 4, 2010 with Joseph Dlamini and independent pathologist Dr Perumal.

"In the yard of prison complex were blankets similar to the one used by the deceased as the ligature, washed and left to dry on the grass, measuring 200 x 140 cm. It is likely that the strip used for ligature measured 200cm including the knot. The cell in which the deceased was detained had two rooms, a passage and a bathroom or toilet complex. At the time the deceased was discovered dead, there were five people sleeping in each of the rooms and three including the deceased slept in the passage," Dr Reddy wrote.

He said in total there were 13 people and that the beam from which the deceased hung measured 197cm above the floor while the height of the deceased was 166cm.

Delayed tests cause inquest adjournment

MBABANE – A laboratory in Manzini has failed to submit test results of some of Sipho Jele’s tissues.

As a result, Coroner Nondumiso Simelane yesterday said they had collectively agreed with other members of the inquest that the process be postponed until further notice.

Dr. RM Reddy, the police pathologist, had informed the inquest that all tests that were sent to South Africa had been returned except for those in the Manzini laboratory.

"We decided that the inquest be postponed sine die because of the test results from the Manzini laboratory that have not been returned," the coroner said.

Sipho Stephen Jele died at the Sidvwashini prison where he was remanded after being arrested and charged for wearing a PUDEMO T-shirt during Workers Day.

He was arrested near the Salesian sports ground where he had gone to join the workforce in celebrating May Day.

The inquest was set up by Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini after an outcry from labour and civic groups over Jele’s controversial death.