Cape Town - A suspect has appeared in the Beaufort West Magistrate’s Court in connection with the slaying of 18-year-old Gerdo Karelse in a holding cell of the police station of the Karoo town.
But the 29-year-old Zuko Mqungquthu, who was held in the cell with Karelse, did not plead to a charge of murder. Mqungquthu was arrested and appeared in court on Thursday.
Karelse’s sister, Carmen Karelse, said the family had not received any new information from police since they were informed of his death.
“Only the Community Police Forum (CPF) chairperson came to us. We do not know how far the investigation is, only that the suspect was in court,”said Karelse.
Beaufort West CPF Chairperson, Mohammed Adams, said senior police officials were demanding that the postmortem be completed as soon as possible.
“That this could happen within the police station is frightening. We have to find out if there is any fault on the part of the officers on duty, and if this tragedy could have been avoided,”said Adams.
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga asked to meet the family during a visit to Beaufort West.
ANC Central Karoo secretary Windy Plaatjie said Motshekga offered her condolences to Karelse’s mother, Sannie Wyles, vowing the investigation would be done to the letter of the law.
IPID spokesperson, Robbi Raburabu, said: “If there is any proof of any misconduct or procedures not followed by officers on duty, we will release those findings to SAPS officials,”said Raburabu.
Police spokesperson, Malcolm Pojie said the investigation was continuing.
“A disciplinary investigation will determine whether members, if found to be involved, will be suspended. The result of the autopsy is not available at this stage,”he said.
Mqungquthu’s next court appearance will be on July 5.
Anyone with information can contact IPID on 012 399 0000.
Cape Times