File
Five Eastern Cape police officers attached to POPS arrested on charges of murder, kidnapping, and assault face more trouble after another one of their alleged victims died.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the additional murder charge was added on Tuesday in the Cradock magistrate’s court where they are applying for bail.
They are Melikhaya Madubedube (41), Ibanathi Jack (33), Ndumiso Mpondo (29), Khulile Damane (46) and Vuyani Mahlasela (31), and were arrested on 11 and 12 January.
This was after the body of a 29-year-old man was found on the premises at the Cradock police station on 8 January.
The state alleges that the officers who were on patrol in the town came across one of the victims, who was allegedly handcuffed, assaulted, and questioned about a stolen cellphone belonging to one of the policemen.
The man was also allegedly pepper-sprayed and suffocated before the officers traced the other two victims.
Police said in an earlier statement the body of the first deceased was found by the station commander who called an ambulance.
NPA, Luxolo Tyali, said their second victim died over the weekend, hence the additional murder charge.
He said the state was also opposing the ongoing bail application.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is also investigating the matter.
