Why did man jump?

2003-08-01 14:31

Durban - The Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) said on Friday it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who fell from the 13th floor of a Durban building while he was being questioned by the Scorpions.

Douw Etienne Holtzhausen, 34, from Amanzimtoti was apparently called in for questioning by the Durban branch of the Scorpions before he fell to his death on Thursday from the Southern Life building.

ICD spokesman Steve Mabona said: "After the finalisation of our investigation we will forward the case docket to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision on prosecution. Thereafter we will be in a position to announce the outcome."

The Justice Ministry said on Thursday evening it would wait for a full report before taking any action on the death of the man.

Department spokesperson Paul Setsetse said: "The ICD is empowered to investigate any complaint against any law enforcement agency - even the elite Scorpions - but any involvement by the justice department will depend on the contents of the report and, at this stage, we will withhold comment until we see that report."

Police spokesperson Director Bala Naidoo said on Thursday Holtzhausen had been under investigation for allegedly skipping bail on fraud and murder charges.

Naidoo said he plunged through the glass window of the building and fell to his death.

"The exact reason for the man's fall is not yet established but initial investigations suggest that he jumped out of the window but in the meantime we will follow police procedure and open an inquest docket," Naidoo said.

- SAPA