Businessman takes Selebi, Nqakula to court
1 October 2007, 07:41
The Minister of Safety and Security, Charles Nqakula, and National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi will not oppose a Cape High Court action instituted against them by a Tokai businessman who alleges he was wrongfully arrested for a double murder.
The man, Howard Steele, says police did not even establish his identity and compare it to that of the suspect before he was detained.
He is claiming R397 000 in damages.
Steele was arrested at his home on November 29, 2004.
He says he was questioned at the Wynberg police station, then detained there.
Three days later, the case against him was discharged when he appeared in court.
He says his arrest was unlawful because police did not have a warrant and did not have reasonable grounds for suspecting he had committed an offence.
Steele claims he was deprived of adequate nutrition, and his medicinal needs were also not seen to. He further alleges he was assaulted in the Wynberg magistrate's court's holding cells.
He says he now suffers from severe psychological and psychiatric trauma.
Initially, the commissioner and minister denied the allegations. But on Friday they filed a notice indicating that they would not oppose the case.
fatima.schroeder@inl.co.za
The man, Howard Steele, says police did not even establish his identity and compare it to that of the suspect before he was detained.
He is claiming R397 000 in damages.
Steele was arrested at his home on November 29, 2004.
He says he was questioned at the Wynberg police station, then detained there.
Three days later, the case against him was discharged when he appeared in court.
He says his arrest was unlawful because police did not have a warrant and did not have reasonable grounds for suspecting he had committed an offence.
Steele claims he was deprived of adequate nutrition, and his medicinal needs were also not seen to. He further alleges he was assaulted in the Wynberg magistrate's court's holding cells.
He says he now suffers from severe psychological and psychiatric trauma.
Initially, the commissioner and minister denied the allegations. But on Friday they filed a notice indicating that they would not oppose the case.
fatima.schroeder@inl.co.za
- This article was originally published on page 6 of The Cape Times on October 01, 2007
Cape Town
