INLSA

File photo of Glen Nayager.

Glen Nayager, was a good policeman who lost his life in his quest for justice.

This is how the controversial former Sydenham SAPS station commander’s attorney and friend, Anand Nepaul, described Nayager on Wednesday.

The alleged sex pest died around midday on Wednesday, after taking ill at his arbitration hearing at the Elangeni Hotel. He suffered respiratory complications and chest pains.

He was taken to the Westville Hospital by ambulance where his cardiologist tried unsuccessfully to resuscitate him. It is believed he suffered a massive heart attack on the way to the hospital.

Nepaul said Nayager had been ill last week with a cardiac-related condition and had been admitted to hospital. He had been discharged on Sunday, to allow him to attend his arbitration hearing this week, Nepal said.

The former tough-cop, who was known as Rambo for his hard approach to fighting crime, had been marred by controversy since 2009, including being found guilty of sexual harassment charges, which led to his dismissal and criminal charges for theft, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

His Bargaining Council arbitration hearing to be reinstated as station commissioner of Sydenham SAPS started in November last year and resumed on Monday.

“Since Monday everything was going well. We were achieving what we set out to do and I was optimistic about the end result. At about noon, I was cross-examining a witness when Glen left the room and went outside. A few minutes later, someone from the hotel called the union representative and informed him that Glen was not feeling well. He was having difficulty breathing.”

Nepaul said the hearing was stopped by the commissioner, Richard Lister, and he went to check on Nayager.

“He was feeling hot and looked ill. I called for first aid assistance from the hotel but there was none available. Fortunately, a young lady attending a conference, had some first aid knowledge and assisted us. She also called for an ambulance from her cellphone. In the meantime, I called Glen’s cardiologist and he suggested we rush him to Westville Hospital.” Nepaul said when the ambulance left, the hearing continued.

“About half an hour later my cellphone rang. The union representative answered it. He then gave me the shocking news that Glen had passed on. It was extremely traumatic to deal with. In fact, this is the first time in my career someone has died while we were in the middle of a case. The hearing was then adjourned.”

He described Nayager as a fantastic person who loved his job and was determined to do whatever it took to restore his reputation and get back on the beat.

“Police investigation and crime detection was in his veins. There was nothing he loved more. When he was fired early last year by the SAPS, he was emotionally broken.

“His words to me were that he had given his life to the police and in return he was being treated so badly. From the outset, when all of this started about four years ago, he was convinced it was a conspiracy to oust him from his station commander position. He felt cheated by the decision taken by his employers to fire him.”

Nepaul said Nayager was adamant that high-ranking officials in the police wanted him out.

“He found it strange that other policemen who faced similar misconduct charges, got off with a slap on the wrist. They were not sacked. That is what motivated him to fight one of the most powerful structures in our country. But, in his quest for justice he paid the ultimate price, his life...”

He said all the misconduct and criminal charges brought against Nayager had messed him up emotionally.

“He fought back and won every case. But, the employer broke his spirit even further by not complying with court orders and imposing their own rules and regulation. It even cost him his family life. His wife is now left to raise their 10-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter alone.”

Nepaul said he was confident that Nayager’s quest for the truth to be exposed would not end with his death.

“The hearing has been postponed and the executor of his estate will have to decide what will happen next.”

A relative of the family said Nayager’s wife, Nirmala, also a senior policewoman based at provincial headquarters, and their children were battling to come to terms with his death.

Nayager’s funeral will take place at the Clare Estate Crematorium on Friday from 1pm.