Lentswe, Kanana - The Independent Police Directorate is investigating the death of a 34-year old Kanana man who was allegedly assaulted by police officers stationed at Kanana SAPS. Falakhe Ntombela died in hospital. He was taken into custody on Sunday morning November 10. According to a friend who requested anonymity because he is afraid of the police, the police officers assaulted Ntombela for no reason.
“He was trying to help a man who was stabbed with a knife. The police arrived and treated him as a suspect while he was only trying to get medical help. Some of the people took videos at the scene but the police forced them to delete the footage. It was hectic.’’
According to the source, Ntombela was thrown into the back of a police vehicle and the police left the scene. “Later I heard that he died. They must have really messed him up.’’
Lentswe discovered that Ntombela worked as a reaction officer at a security company. He was off duty.
Phaladi Shuping, IPID spokesperson, confirmed the investigation into his death. “It is alleged that the deceased was at a tavern and the police were called to the tavern after a fight broke out. The deceased’s friend was alleged stabbed and the deceased requested the police to take him to hospital but they refused.
“He allegedly started punching the police vehicle and he was arrested for malicious damage to property. The following day, he was taken to clinic and later to hospital. He passed away at hospital and a post-mortem was conducted on November 12. We are waiting for the report.’’
Ntombela’s brother said he welcomes the investigation. “I was called to the clinic where I found my brother. He was damaged. They killed him for something he didn’t do.’’
