S.A. Statement On Deaths

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31961, 12 April 1969, Page 21

S.A. Statement On Deaths

(tiew Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 11

The Consul-General for South Africa (Mr P. H. Philip) has released the text of a statement by the South African Minister of Police (Mr S. L. Muller) on the accidental deaths of three African prisoners last week.

The death of the prisoners’ was reported in a message circulated by the New Zealand Press Association on April 4. The report, from the Associated Press, said the truck carrying the prisoners had broken down while on a 20-nule journey to Johannesburg. Apart from the three who died, six others were sent to hospital for treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning. In the statement released by Mr Philip in Wellington, Mr Muller said a preliminary fact finding inquiry was instituted immediately the day the men died.

“I have given instructions that all evidence already available and any further evidence obtained must without delay be brought to the, attention of the AttorneyGeneral of the Transvaal. This will enable him to

examine all the various facets of the case and will also enable him to determine whether a criminal prosecution should be instituted against any official of the police or any other person,” said Mr Muller in his statement.

Mr Muller said that irrespective of the outcome of the Attorney-General’s inquiry, a commission of inquiry under the chairmanship of the Chief Magistrate of Johannesburg would inquire into the case.

Preliminary inquiries had shown that one of the men died in the van and the other two while being taken out. Nine other prisoners had been admitted to hospital and all but two of these had now been discharged while the condition of the two remaining in hospital was satisfactory, said the statement.