Family wants answers on cell assault

THE family of Greyton resident Jimmy Hendricks, who was assaulted in holding cells in December, has demanded answers about how he was attacked while in police custody.

The 47-year-old was taken into custody in Greyton for being drunk in public and placed in a holding cell, in which there were three other detainees, to sober up. He was then attacked, and rushed to Tygerberg Hospital, where he was treated in the intensive care unit.

After that, Hendricks was taken to Caledon Hospital to recuperate, but his condition has deteriorated and he is unable to get out of bed.

His cousin, Magda Aranties, 42, said Hendricks was barely able to eat or drink. “When we went to see him it was a horrible sight. My cousin was a healthy man; now he is unable to help himself and can barely speak to us.

“This cannot be allowed to go unanswered; someone needs to explain to us how this could happen and leave a healthy man at death’s door,” she said.

Aranties said Hendricks had been discharged from Caledon Hospital but had to be readmitted shortly afterwards as he was in constant pain. The family feared the internal injuries he suffered were extremely severe. They wanted someone to take responsibility.

Greyton police said four detainees, including Hendricks, had been in the holding cell for alcohol-related offences, and when officers checked on them they found Hendricks covered in blood and immediately called an ambulance.

They said two detainees had told them they did not sound the alarm while Hendricks was being assaulted for fear they too would be assaulted.

Police officers were not involved in the assault and because of that the assault was not reported to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

A suspect had been arrested in connection with the assault and had appeared in the Caledon Magistrate’s Court, where he was released on bail.

The SA Human Rights Commission’s provincial commissioner, Chris Nissen said he would ask Ipid to probe the assault as it had taken place while Hendricks was in police custody.