THE 29-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder of Siam Lee claims he was harassed and tortured, by police following his arrest. The Assagay resident, who appeared for the second time since his arrest at the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning, said he didn’t want to be remanded to the Durban North police station cells for fear of abuse.
He requested instead to be taken to Westville Prison.
The man is alleged to have kidnapped and murdered the 20-year-old Durban North resident, whose burnt body was discovered in a sugarcane field in New Hanover more than three weeks ago.
Lee had been missing since 4 January and was last seen leaving her workplace on Margaret Maytom Avenue, Durban North.
“I’ve been assaulted, harassed and suffocated with a plastic bag at the police station. I’ve got scars all over my body. I fear for my life. Even my relatives have been turned away and harassed when they come to visit me at the cells. Even when I was arrested, items from my home were also stolen. When I was arrested I was told I would either confess or leave my home in a body bag,” he said.
WATCH: Siam Lee murder PI speaks out on arrest of suspect
The 29-year-old further alleged he is forced to sleep on a mat and has an injury to his knee which was causing him great discomfort.
“I wish for my rights protected,” he told Magistrate Mohamed Motala.
The Magistrate adjourned the matter for seven days while the State finalises its charges. Motala declined the suspect’s request to be taken to Westville Prison and remanded him back to the Durban North police station cells.
Durban North SAPS confirmed they are no longer handling the case which has been handed over to a provincial detective task team.
Since her death, a Facebook group ‘Justice for Siam’ has been formed with the hope of keeping the memory of the former Crawford North Coast College learner alive.
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