During 1978 a total of 273 policemen were convicted of offences against suspects ranging from assault to murder.
Of these, only 17 were discharged from the police force.
The details are as follows:
[Table of convictions]
(Debates 28.5.79)
Details of the 161 non-political deaths in police custody during 1978 (see FOCUS 23, p.13), were given in parliament in June. A total of 58 died of injuries sustained during or after arrest (excluding those said to have been assaulted by other prisoners) and 22 others were said to have committed suicide. Among the former were:
EDGAR NDABA, arrested 23.4.78; robbery charge; died 23.4.78; bitten by police dog. Member of police force found guilty of common assault.
MANNETJIES ARENDS, arrested 30.4.78; stock-theft charge; died 9.5.78; subdural haemorrhage. Member of force convicted of common assault and homicide. (Debates 19.6.79)
Four policemen (three white) were convicted in Dundee Regional Court in October 1978 of causing grievous bodily harm to Welakhe Sithole (no details known). Sentenced was postponed for five years and two of those are still serving in the police force pending an inquiry. The other two have been dismissed. (Debates 11.5.79)
A 23-year old student, MZWADILE MAGENGELELE, died at Guguletu Police Station on January 20, 1979. A police sergeant gave evidence to the Inquest Court in July claiming that Mzwadile Magengelele had hanged himself. (POST 19.7.79)
