KHOZA On 12 July an inquest magistrate ruled that nobody was to blame for the death of Mr Aaron Khoza, 45, a Terrorism Act detainee, apparently found hanging in a Pietermaritzburg prison cell by a rope made of two shoelaces and a jacket on 26 March 1977. Mr Harry Pitman, appearing for Mr. Khoza's family, said the evidence of prison authorities was conflicting and the investigation had proved unsatisfactory.
MALELE A Security Police Captain claimed that a 61-year old Terrorism Act detainee Mr Mafike Elmon Malele, died of hypertension after being questioned by security police in connection with a sabotage charge, at an inquest in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court on 7 July. Mr Malele died on 20 January, eight days after being admitted to hospital from detention. Capt. A.B. Cronwright of the Security Police, claimed that while he was questioning Mr Malele, he fell forward and hit his head against a desk. He then fell to the floor and lay on his back with foam coming out of his mouth. Medical evidence given was that Mr Malele died later in hospital of hypertension and spontaneous haemorrhage.
The magistrate ruled on 16 July that nobody was to blame for his death.
MAZWEMBE At the resumed inquest on 24 June into the death of the detainee Mr Luke Story Mazwembe (33), a police constable claimed that he had found Mr Mazwembe hanging from the ceiling by a piece of blanket, and that there was a razor blade in the cell.
The inquest hearing was adjourned in order for a police lieutenant, alleged to have vital evidence, to be contacted.
In June Mrs Helen Suzman asked the Minister of Police, Mr Jimmy Kruger, in parliament whether the inquests into the deaths of Frank Mapeta Mohapi, Ernest Mamashila, Wellington Mlungini Tshazibane, Luke Mazwembe and George Botha were concluded, and if so, what was the finding in each case. The reply was as follows:
The Minister of Indian Affairs (for Minister of Police):
MHOAPI: Not yet concluded.
MAMASHILA: "Death due to hanging, when deceased hung himself."
TSHAZIBANE: "Consistent with hanging".
MAZWEMBE: Not yet concluded.
BOTHA: "Death the result of head injuries. No evidence that his death was the fault of any person."
