Attempted murder accused dies in Mamelodi police holding cells
“We wanted to know why he did what he did to my sister.”
A man accused of the attempted murder of a Mamelodi woman, who was set on fire, has died in police holding cells.
The 55-year-old was arrested for allegedly dousing Lindiwe Zitha in Mamelodi east, section 16, with petrol and then setting her alight last Wednesday night
He had handed himself over to the Mamelodi East police after he was spotted at the local clinic where he had sought medical help.
Zitha (50) is still in ICU at Wilgers hospital fighting for her life.
Gauteng police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo said the suspect complained “about pain” and police immediately called an ambulance.
He said later paramedics, who arrived shortly thereafter declared him dead in the holding cells.
“Police have opened an inquest docket and a postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” said Masondo.
Zitha family spokesperson Khabo Zitha said the family was disappointed at the development because all they wanted were answers as to why the man did what he did.
“We wanted to know why he did what he did to my sister,” said Khabo.
“My sister is left with permanent scars and the accused has died before he could stand trial.”
The man made his first appearance in the Mamelodi magistrate’s court on Monday and the case was remanded to June 12 for further investigations.
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