The aggrieved family of a 34-year-old man who died in Norwood Police Station holding cells on 27 December last year said it will not rest until the police tell them how their son died in custody.
Webster Matsitela was arrested by Sandringham police on 26 December for pointing a firearm at one of the community members and taken to Norwood Police Station holding cells. He was found by the police dead in the holding cell the following day.
The 69-year-old Johannes Matsitela, Webster’s father, said he will take legal action against the police and he will not rest until the truth about his son’s death is revealed. “I want to know why they killed him, I will not rest or bury him until the doctors tell me how he died.
“I don’t believe that my Webster killed himself as police alleged. We will take legal action against the minister and those who arrested him. They killed him and did not even bother to come and inform us, we only learned about his death from street gossipers. This is wrong and unacceptable.”
Sandringham Police Station spokesperson Captain Mohlaume Mamabolo said the matter was being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the family has been informed.
“I can confirm that the incident happened in Norwood Police Station holding cells on 27 December 2019. The inquest was opened and the IPID unit is investigating the matter.”
Mamabolo could not give any details when the family of the deceased was informed about the incident.
Related article:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/241792/residents-to-elect-new-leaders-to-curb-crime/
