‘Quiet, humble’ Macia is honoured

INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPERS

Hundreds gathered to remember Mido Macia who was found dead in police cells after he was dragged behind a police van. File photo: Bongiwe Mchunu

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Johannesburg - Hundreds of Daveyton residents gathered on Wednesday morning to remember slain taxi driver Mido Macia.

Many described him as a “quiet and humble” man.

Macia was found dead in police cells last Tuesday after he was dragged behind a police van earlier in the day.

The dragging was captured on cellphone footage and went viral, sending shock waves around the world.

Eight policemen have been arrested on charges of murder.

Community members arrive at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton to attend a memorial service for Mido Macia and to demand justice. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu

THE STAR

A memorial service was held for Macia on Wednesday morning at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton.

Friends and fellow taxi drivers showed their support and demanded that the officers accused of his death not receive bail on Friday.

“We as Benoni people, we just have to unite so we can fight this thing,” said Clifford Nonyana, a friend of Macia.

“We want justice, on Friday I'll be at the court,” he added.

Macia was a “quiet guy” who went about his work.

Fellow taxi driver Mojalefa Monyatsi worked with Macia since 2009.

“He was a quiet guy, he was a good guy, he was a humble guy you see,” said Monyatsi.

Before the memorial began, people held up signs reading “RIP Mido” and “justice must take its own course – life sentence will be fair”. The crowd also sang “what have you done?” in unison as they entered the stadium.

Graca Machel, Nelson Mandela's wife and also widow of Mozambique's liberation hero and first president Samora Machel, was expected at Macia's memorial. Mozambique's ambassador Fernando Fazenda was also expected to attend.

South African authorities have pledged to help repatriate Macia's body to neighbouring Mozambique.

He will be buried outside the capital Maputo on Saturday, according to Mozambican media.

Last Friday, national police commissioner General Riah Phiyega suspended the eight officers implicated in Macia’s death.

They were due to appear in the Benoni Magistrate’s Court on Monday, charged with murder, but their bail application was postponed to Friday because an identity parade was still to be held.

The station commander of the Daveyton police station was also removed from his post and the police watchdog body, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, is probing Macia’s death.

brendan.roane@inl.co.za

The Star, Sapa-AFP