Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)

Elderly man claims he was given wrong medication in jail

- SHANICE NAIDOO shanice.naidoo@inl.co.za

A 66-YEAR-old man was allegedly given the wrong medication after he was detained for pointing a firearm.

Denver February said he was thrown in jail after he went to fetch his gun from the station.

“It all started when I caught two men stealing the wire from the fence on my farm. I wasn’t sure what they were doing at first. So I asked my neighbours if they knew anything and they said no, it is being stolen,” said February.

He said he decided to try to apprehend the culprits but they got away.

“My gun was in my bag and they saw it, they claim I pointed my firearm at them,” said February.

After allegedly having no luck getting to the men, he went home and soon afterwards police were at his farm where they allegedly confiscate­d his firearm and asked him to fetch it from the station.

February said his papers were in order, so he went to the station where he was detained for pointing a firearm.

He was arrested on last Friday and his statement was allegedly never taken.

February said he was let out on Tuesday and has been ill ever since.

“All I have been doing is sleeping all day and my arms have cold in them and are stiff,” said February.

He is diabetic and required insulin which he said was first given to him without needles. He highlighte­d that he told the officer which insulin to give him.

“I wasn’t given my kidney medication. I only got my high blood medication,” said February.

When asked about the alleged negligence, police spokespers­on Captain FC van Wyk said he could not elaborate on the matter as it was still being looked into.

February’s daughter laid a complaint with the police hotline.

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