Foreign nationals accuse police of causing fellow Nigerian’s death during drug raid
Drugs worth R15 000 and an undisclosed amount of cash were allegedly seized by the police in the deceased's room
By Palesa Malebo
SASOLBURG – An altercation between foreign nationals and police officers erupted on Tuesday afternoon (15 January 2019) outside the Sasolburg Police Station, following the demise of a Nigerian man alleged to be a drug dealer.
Iyke Paul Nwokocha (37) allegedly died during a drug search executed by Sasolburg police officers. His fellow Nigerians in the area have accused the police of beating him to death.
“They searched the house and didn’t find anything. They started beating him saying he must give them the drugs. They handcuffed him, covered him with plastic and started beating him,” said one Nigerian.
Constable Peter Kareli, a Communications officer of the SAPS in Sasolburg, has dismissed the claim saying the man died as a result of a drug overdose which was corroborated by the autopsy results on Thursday (17 Jan 2019).
“The man escaped during the raid when he saw that police were on to him and he swallowed the drugs while he was running. The results have shown and confirmed that he overdosed,” said Constable Kareli.
Kareli said drugs worth R15 000 and an undisclosed amount of cash were seized by the police in the deceased’s room.
