Inquest to probe black’s ‘suicide’

Press, 16 August 1978, Page 8

Inquest to probe black’s ‘suicide’

NZPA-Reuter Port Elizabeth The issue of how — and why — another black prisoner has died while being questioned by the South African police comes under the spotlight at an inquest that opened late yesterday. Lungile Tabalaza, aged 20, was being interrogated last month by the security police when he' fell five floors into the street from the police headquarters. He was being questioned about his alleged involvement in arson and the use of bombs. Mr Tabalaza is one ol three blacks to have died ir police detention in receni months, and the second de tainee to die in a fall at the headquarters in two years. The Police Minister (Mi Tames Kruger) has said that Mr Tabalaza leapt to hit death from a window while under interrogation. He was questioned at the same security headquarters as the black leader. Steve Biko, who was later transferred to Pretoria where he died of brain injuries last year. Mr Biko’s death prompter Mr Kruger to issue new instructions concerning treatment of detainees during interrogation, although ar inquest magistrate clearec the police of any blame The Minister ordered i

| police enquiry into Mr Tabalzaza’s death, and when it had reported, the police ) commissioner (Mr Mike I Geldenhuys) said: “It would: appear from the report that! I strict police instructions re-j garding the safety of de-, itainees may not in this case; 'have been strictlv adhered to.” In a police shake-up that (followed at Port Elizabeth, I two security policemen were | transferred to the detective branch and the man in charge, Colonel Pieter Goo-j isen, was transferred to another area. i The instructions issued after the furore over Mr 1 Biko’s death included advice ,' that all interrogations should be carried out in strength- ) ened rooms unless they were on the ground floor, and to combat suicides, detainees 'should be kept under strict j supervision. Mr Tabalaza was arrested with another young black iwho later pleaded guilty to |-setting fire to two delivery trucks and robbing their drivers. He was sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment. The 17-year-old. who cannot be identified under South African law, said at ; his trial that Mr Tabalaza i was not present because “he I jumped out of a window at Sanlam Building in Sand i Street and ran away.”