North West MEC for Human Settlement, Public Safety & Liaison, Desbo Mohono has called upon the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) to expedite the investigation into the death in police custody of Pullman Dlamini.
Dlamini, a member of National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) and employee of AngloGold Ashanti was reportedly arrested for drunken driving and or negligent driving on Sunday afternoon. The arrest followed an incident in which Dlamini allegedly drove over a policeman’s foot during a Cosatu/Num local government pre-election electioneering motorcade in support of the African National Congress. The policeman who was allegedly conducting traffic in Kanana townshipoutside Orkney at the time of the incident was slightly injured.
MEC Mohono is confident that though no one has been arrested thus far, investigators will not leave any stone unturned in their investigations. She has received assurance from ICD Provincial Head, Matthews Sesoko that investigations are at an advanced stage and will be concluded by the end of next week.
Investigators have already taken statements have been obtained from policemen who arrested Dlamini, relatives who visited and spoke to him whilst in custody including inmates who shared a cell with him before he was found dead at the Orkney police cell.
According to a media report published by one daily newspaper on Tuesday, NUM had through its Matlosana Regional Secretary; Joe Montiisetse alleged that police are responsible for Dlamini’s assault and subsequent death.
A post-mortem to determine Dlamini’s cause of death is to be conducted tomorrow, Friday 20 May 2011.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele (Departmental Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 391 0420
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
