Five Cradock Police Officers Charged with Murder Denied Bail
In a recent bail hearing, the Magistrates’ Court of Cradock has ruled against granting bail to five members of the Public Order Policing Unit, following the prosecutor’s argument that they could potentially tamper with evidence and influence witnesses. Officers Melikhaya Madubedube, Ibanathi Jack, Ndumiso Mpondo, Khulile Damane, and Vuyani Mahlasela, now face grave accusations, including two murder charges and additional counts related to assault and kidnapping.
The court proceedings come after a distressing discovery on the 8th of January, 2024 at the South African Police Service (SAPS) station in Cradock, where the body of a 29-year-old male was found. It is alleged that the accused officers were involved in an off-duty incident speculated to revolve around a theft of a cellphone belonging to one of them. They have been accused of arresting, handcuffing, and violently assaulting the man in a police vehicle. The assault reportedly continued on the R61 roadway, outside of the town, where the victim was subjected to further brutality, including pepper spraying and suffocation.
The situation escalated as the initial victim implicated another man, suggesting he had knowledge of the stolen cellphone. Reportedly, the officers located this second man and subjected him to similar inhumane treatment. A third victim was later identified, who purportedly suffered the same abuse at the hands of the officers.
As their shifts came to an end, the accused reportedly returned to the SAPS station with their captives. They instructed the first two victims to leave, while the third was left in a dire state near a tap on the station premises. Later discovered by the Station Commander and despite the arrival of medical assistance, the third victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The aftermath of the ordeal led to the hospitalization and subsequent death of another victim.
The surviving individuals have since identified the accused as their aggressors. The officers were apprehended between January 11th and 12th, following the incident. As a result of their ongoing risk to the investigation, bail has been denied and the case is set to reconvene on February 23rd, 2024, to allow for thorough investigation and preparation for trial.
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