Suspect's death in cell: Cop on murder charge
29 July 2010, 14:22
By Jade Witten
Court Reporter
A Goodwood police officer accused of repeatedly beating a man who later died in police holding cells has been charged with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and pointing a firearm.
Constable Zonwabele Ndongeni appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, charged with beating 20-year-old Asanda Dondolo so badly on Sunday that the young man died.
Ndongeni's co-accused, Mandla Gqubile, who is not a police officer, was also charged with murder, attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping and one of pointing a firearm.
The State released a third suspect after it was established that he was allegedly also assaulted by the two. The three were arrested on Tuesday.
One attempted murder and kidnapping charge refers to the two allegedly picking up the third suspect at his home and driving around with him in search for Dondolo, who they believed had stolen Ndongeni's car radio.
The other charges of attempted murder and pointing of a firearm relates to Dondolo's relative, Gcobani Dondolo, who was allegedly threatened and shot at.
No evidence about the cause of Dondolo's death was presented in court on Wednesday, but Ndongeni's lawyer insisted that his client had not injured Dondolo.
Police watchdog the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has launched an investigation of Dondolo's death.
ICD spokesperson Moses Dlamini said earlier this week that Dondolo was assaulted with metal rods and plastic canes.
The ICD is also investigating why officers at two police stations did not intervene or seek medical attention for Dondolo when he was taken there.
Ndongeni's lawyer, Zukisani Bobotyane, told the court on Wednesday that Dondolo was alive when he was registered at Lingelethu West police station on Sunday. Dondolo later collapsed and died in the Harare police station's holding cells.
Dondolo was reportedly transferred to to Harare police station because Lingelethu West had no holding cells.
"(He) had no injuries when he was admitted to Lingelethu West police station. Ndongeni handed (him) over to police at Lingelethu and left," Bobotyane said.
The State alleges that Ndongeni, who is based at the Goodwood police station, went in search of Dondolo in his private car on Sunday and that Gqubile assisted Ndongeni.
"Other charges (possibly of assault) will be added," prosecutor Ntsikelelo Peter said.
Ndongeni's service pistol was confiscated.
Neither accused has any previous convictions, pending cases or outstanding warrants.
"In principle, we (the State) are not opposed to bail, but we have to verify certain information. We are also not sure if the accused are a threat to the witnesses," Peter said.
The men are due back in court on Friday.
Court Reporter
A Goodwood police officer accused of repeatedly beating a man who later died in police holding cells has been charged with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and pointing a firearm.
Constable Zonwabele Ndongeni appeared in the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, charged with beating 20-year-old Asanda Dondolo so badly on Sunday that the young man died.
Ndongeni's co-accused, Mandla Gqubile, who is not a police officer, was also charged with murder, attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping and one of pointing a firearm.
The State released a third suspect after it was established that he was allegedly also assaulted by the two. The three were arrested on Tuesday.
One attempted murder and kidnapping charge refers to the two allegedly picking up the third suspect at his home and driving around with him in search for Dondolo, who they believed had stolen Ndongeni's car radio.
The other charges of attempted murder and pointing of a firearm relates to Dondolo's relative, Gcobani Dondolo, who was allegedly threatened and shot at.
No evidence about the cause of Dondolo's death was presented in court on Wednesday, but Ndongeni's lawyer insisted that his client had not injured Dondolo.
Police watchdog the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) has launched an investigation of Dondolo's death.
ICD spokesperson Moses Dlamini said earlier this week that Dondolo was assaulted with metal rods and plastic canes.
The ICD is also investigating why officers at two police stations did not intervene or seek medical attention for Dondolo when he was taken there.
Ndongeni's lawyer, Zukisani Bobotyane, told the court on Wednesday that Dondolo was alive when he was registered at Lingelethu West police station on Sunday. Dondolo later collapsed and died in the Harare police station's holding cells.
Dondolo was reportedly transferred to to Harare police station because Lingelethu West had no holding cells.
"(He) had no injuries when he was admitted to Lingelethu West police station. Ndongeni handed (him) over to police at Lingelethu and left," Bobotyane said.
The State alleges that Ndongeni, who is based at the Goodwood police station, went in search of Dondolo in his private car on Sunday and that Gqubile assisted Ndongeni.
"Other charges (possibly of assault) will be added," prosecutor Ntsikelelo Peter said.
Ndongeni's service pistol was confiscated.
Neither accused has any previous convictions, pending cases or outstanding warrants.
"In principle, we (the State) are not opposed to bail, but we have to verify certain information. We are also not sure if the accused are a threat to the witnesses," Peter said.
The men are due back in court on Friday.
- This article was originally published on page 3 of The Cape Argus on July 29, 2010
