Tebogo Msimanga |
The trial of six police officers from Honeydew Police Station resumed at the South Gauteng High Court on Monday and is set to continue until 7 June 2021. They are accused of torturing and murdering Thando Gazu as well as torturing Msizi Memela whilst they were detained in Honeydew police custody on 19 October 2019.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Spokesperson Ndileka Cola said it is alleged that Gazu and Memela were arrested for police interference and assaulting the police officers.
“This was after the deceased bumped a vehicle on the pavement of the road he was trying to park in. An argument ensued between the deceased and the owner of the bumped vehicle. The police officers arrived and they arrested the deceased’s friend who was a passenger.”
Cola added that the deceased approached the officers to establish why his friend was being arrested. “The deceased and his friend were taken to Honeydew Police Station in two different police vans, where the police allegedly continued assaulting the pair.”
Cola further said It is alleged that the officers assaulted the one detainee who collapsed inside the police cell. “The other detained friend called paramedics and they certified him dead inside the police cell.”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) investigated this death in the police custody case and the outcome of the post-mortem confirmed that he died due to blunt force injuries in the head.
