Mother wants answers about son’s death in police cells
After her son allegedly committed suicide in the Elsburg police cells a mother claims something does not add up.
For Antoinette Beukman every day is a struggle to come to terms with her son Wesley Schultz’s death.
The 26-year-old died recently in the Elsburg Police Station’s holding cells after he was arrested on a charge of domestic violence.
Beukman told the GCN that Schultz had apparently been taken to the cells at about 3.30pm and at 5.40pm was found dead.
“The police tell me he hanged himself using a cord from his pants but I don’t know how that could have happened with four people in the cells with him,” said Beukman.
“I have been asking and asking for answers but none are forthcoming.”
Beukman added that she had spoken to the station commander a number of times but received no help.
She claims that when the family viewed his body in the morgue it looked as if he had been badly beaten.
“He had bruises all over his body which we found at the second independent autopsy because at the state mortuary they would not let us see the entire body when we went to identify his body,” she said.
“The second autopsy revealed the marks on his body and face were made before death.”
Beukman said that she believes he was beaten sometime either before he was taken to the cells or when he was in the cells.
“He was an aggressive person but not a suicidal one and something about the situation does not add up,” she said.
“There are too many unanswered questions surrounding his death. Something doesn’t feel right.”
Beukman added that when she requested access to the cell where he had allegedly hanged himself her request was denied.
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“He would have to have stood on something to get high enough to hang himself,” she said.
“I want to see where it took place.”
She also claims that the police did not do rounds at the cells and that there are no cameras in the cells to monitor arrestees.
“I was also extremely upset about the way we were told of his death.
“They just called and said ‘Wesley is no more’ which I find an inappropriate way of telling someone their loved one has died,” Beukman said.
“A life is now gone and we don’t know what actually happened.”
The GCN requested comment from the Elsburg SAPS on the matter and Const Daphney Phooko, the communications officer for the Elsburg police said: “A detective is investigating an inquest docket where a man hanged himself using string from his pants, which were worn underneath other pants.
“During the arrest and detention of the suspect he was searched for items which he could injure himself with and none were found.
“He was not assaulted by police officers or his cellmates.
“The investigation is continuing and the progress will be communicated as and when the need arises.”
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