THREE years after the death of Richards Bay resident Elijah ‘Shakes’ Tshabalala (52) in police custody, his family are patiently waiting for the law to take its course.
The matter was back in court on Thursday where Richards Bay District Court Magistrate Hlatswayo said it will not be postponed indefinitely and set a final postponement for legal representation for 7 January.
Tshabala, a BHP Billiton employee and shop steward died in police custody on 7 September 2010 after being arrested at his Mandlanzini house, allegedly relating to domestic violence.
He was at home with his daughters Sanelisiwe and Philile and son Bongabheka Tshabalala on the night of his arrest.
The family said a number of police vehicles pulled up outside the property before 9pm and took him away.
His relative, Sbongile Mzimela said she went to the station shortly after his arrest to make enquiries and waited over two hours for police to bring him in.
‘They brought him into the station and he collapsed in the passage and died in my arms before even going to the cells,’ she said.
