3 officers nabbed for cop's death

2002-06-23 17:14

Johannesburg - Three Pietersburg (Polokwane) police station officers were arrested on Saturday following the death of a policeman on Friday, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) said on Sunday.

In a statement, ICD spokesperson Steve Mabona said the officers allegedly assaulted the victim, Inspector Leonard Hlagala, and two other men after they were arrested for car theft on Friday.

Mabona said the other two victims were Daniel Mlungisi and Jan Manyane.

He said one of the men was reportedly in a critical condition at Pietersburg Hospital, while the other was in custody.

The ICD investigated the incident and two inspectors and one superintendent was arrested.

They will appear in the Pietersburg magistrate's court on Monday, for a bail application.

ICD executive director, Advocate Karen McKenzie said: "We strongly condemn any involvement of police in criminality."

The ICD was also investigating the circumstances surrounding Hlagala's death.

Mabona said the ICD's preliminary investigation revealed that Hlagala had bruises on his body and legs. His eyes were also swollen.

It was also revealed that the two police officers arrested in connection with the vehicle theft, had also been brutally assaulted, allegedly by the same station officers.

- SAPA