A family in Extension 8, Alexandra, is grieving the death of a father who was allegedly beaten up by soldiers and later died of his injuries.
Alexandra Police Station commander Brigadier Lindiwe Magudulela who confirmed the death of the man referred Alex News to the Gauteng Provincial Police. Its spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters confirmed the incident and said, “A case of murder was opened at the station as a criminal matter to enable further investigation.” She added that any facts related to the incident were at this stage still allegations to be investigated. Peters would not be drawn into the army’s involvement asking that everything be left to the investigation.
Local councillor Tefo Raphadu who visited the family after the incident said family members informed him that patrolling soldiers and police arrived at their home and the soldiers followed the deceased’s brother-in-law, who was closing the gate, onto the premises.
“It’s alleged the soldiers accused him of drinking beer during the lockdown and led him into the house where the deceased was and they accused both of them of the transgression before the assault,” said Raphadu. It’s claimed the soldiers poured beer on the two men’s heads while assaulting them before they left.
“The deceased who went into the bathroom was found by the wife vomiting and bleeding before he later died.”
Raphadu also claimed that an unspecified number of witnesses who took footage of the incident had their phones confiscated and returned after the footage was deleted.
“It’s concerning as the deceased was in his house and compliant while the other victim was also compliant as he was in the yard.”
Raphudu added that excessive force was not part of the mitigating measures of the lockdown and those found responsible should be arrested.
Peters concluded that they had not identified any suspects in the matter as yet and any arrests would be determined by the outcome of the investigation together with the post-mortem results.
The army’s head of communication, Siphiwe Dlamini could not be reached for comment before going to print.
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