The bail application of five police officers from the Cradock Public Order Policing unit in the Eastern Cape, who are accused of murder, attempted murder, kidnapping and intent to do grievous bodily harm, was successfully opposed by the prosecution today.

The Cradock Magistrate’s Court agreed with the prosecutor’s submission that the five officers, Melikhaya Madubedube (41), Ibanathi Jack (33), Ndumiso Mpondo (29), Khulile Damane (46) and Vuyani Mahlasela (31), may interfere with investigations and witnesses.

In addition to the two counts of murder, they also face a charge of attempted murder, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and three counts of kidnapping.

They were arrested on January 11 and 12, after the body of a 29-year-old man was found on the premises of the Cradock Police Station on January 8.

According to National Prosecuting Authority NPA regional spokesperson Luxolo Tyali, it is alleged that all the accused were on duty, conducting crime prevention patrols with a Quantum minibus police vehicle, when the incidents occurred.

“When they came across one of the victims, they allegedly handcuffed him, assaulted him in the police vehicle and questioned him about a stolen cellphone belonging to one of the accused persons. They allegedly drove on the R61 road out of town, where they stopped, assaulted, pepper-sprayed and suffocated him,” says Tyali.

Two other victims suffered the same fate on the same night before the last victim’s body was found at the police station.

When it was time for the shift change, the accused officers returned to their station. Upon their return, they reportedly instructed the first and second victims to leave the premises.

“The third victim, however, faced a more severe situation as he was allegedly dragged to a nearby tap, where water was poured on him,” says Tyali.

Following this disturbing incident, the officers allegedly left the victim there for dead.

The station commander later found the victim lying on the station’s grounds. An ambulance was called, and he was declared dead on the scene.

The surviving victims identified the accused persons as the officers who assaulted them. One of the victims died in hospital over the weekend.

The case has been postponed to February 23 for further investigations.