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Political deaths in police custody 1984 - 1989

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YearDateNameAffiliationPlace of deathDescription
198415 JulyNgalo, Johannes (26) ParysFound dead in cell due to serious internal injuries.
 29 September  SebokengShot in head by policeman during altercation between police and other arrested youths in police van.
  5/7  NovemberMasunyane, Anthony KatlehongPolice informed victim's family of death in custody after stayaway.
  11/19  NovemberMaseko, Samson (19) KatlehongFound at mortuary with terrible marks & bruises after reported arrest.
 22 NovemberNgwenya, Abel (31) DaveytonPolice reported epileptic fit as cause of death while pathologist indicated violence involved in death and family denied any history of epilepsy.
  Late 84/early 85Korotsoane, Tatlheho (28) VereenigingReported to have been in security detention, but police denied this.
198529 MarchMvulane, Bheki (18) KatlehongBrain injuries from alleged police violence while awaiting trial.
 5 MayMutsi, Sipho (20)COSASOdendaalsrusDied during interrogation; post-mortem revealed head injuries and severe sjambok weals.
 6 MayRaditsela, Andries (29)COSATU, CWIUTsakaneDied of head injuries after being violently confronted by police while producing documents to counter car theft accusations.
 3 JulyMuggels, Mzwandile (20)Karoo Youth CongressSteytlervilleDied from gunshot wounds during arrest at memorial service.
 5 JulySpogter, Johannes (13)Nephew of MuggelsSteytlervilleFound dead (attributed to head injuries) during routine cell visit.
 16 AugustMokoena, Sonnyboy (24) Pilgrim's RestAllegedly found hanged in cell.
 16 AugustGeorge, Thembalake (15)KWT Youth LeagueKing William's TownMother found victim unresponsive at hospital with badly swollen face after arrested at a student gathering.
  18/19 AugustNdzandze, Loyiso (20)KWT Youth LeagueKing William's TownCircumstances same as George above, except died a few days later.
 21 SeptemberMbotya, Mbuyiselo (35)KWT Youth League/UDFKing William's TownDied from head injuries.
 24 SeptemberNdondo, Batandwa (22)SRC- University of TranskeiCala, TranskeiAllegedly shot several times by police on the outskirts of Cala.
 18 OctoberRamalepe, NgwakoPresident SRC - Modjadji Teacher Training CollegeKgapane, LebowaAssaulted by police at station and later dumped along a road.
 17 NovemberMogale, Meshack (16)StudentMamelodi EastSister, arrested with him at a night vigil for unrest victim, alleged he was kicked and sjambokked by police.
19861 AprilPoshoko, Joel (29)CCAWUSAPretoriaAllegedly assaulted by police during interrogation
 5 AprilKutumela, Lucky (25)Journalist! AZAPO/ MWASAMahwelereng, LebowaFound dead in police cell with more than 40 sjambok weals.
 11 AprilNchabeleng, Peter (59)President of Northern Transvaal UDFSchoonoord, LebowaAllegedly tortured by police.
 12 AprilNgomane, Eric (22)StudentKaNgwanePolice claim he was shot dead while trying to escape.
 19 AprilMashego, Johannes (26) ParysPolice state he collapsed during interrogation; relatives reported extensive bruising and swollen face upon identifying the victim's body.
 26 JulyStuurman, Mlungise (18) CradockInterrogated and then killed by 2 'unrest unit' members who were later sentenced to death for his murder.
 11 DecemberMapumolo, MatthewsANCSwazilandAccosted and shot at home by a group of armed men; abducted to South Africa while wounded, then died.
 13 DecemberMogotsi, JosephTeacherPretoriaAssaulted after police forced car off the road.
 15 DecemeberOlifant, Benji (25) KlerksdorpAllegedly shot while attempting to escape
198716 FebruaryUnknown youth (17)Soweto Allegedly jumped from Casspir in an attempt to escape from custody.
 9 JulyCele, Edwin (22)Lamontville Youth CongressDurbanShot by police while allegedly trying to pull the pin from a hand grenade.
 9 JulyKriel, Ashley (20)Bonteheuwel Student ActivistAthlonePolice reported victim killed during arrest scuffle while post-mortem indicated victim shot in the back at 'point-blank' range.
 24 JulyMntonga, EricIDASA/SAAWUMdantsaneKilled by 6 Ciskei security officers at police cells.
 23 AugustNyoka, CaiphusStudent leaderDaveytonShot dead by police, execution-style, while raiding his father's home.
 4 NovemberMarume, Ndiko SasolburgDied inside a police van while being transported to Sasolburg police station.
198820 MarchKobe, Andile (22)George Youth/Civic AssociationsSandkraalBeaten for at least 30 minutes by police in front of eyewitnesses.
 1 DecemberKhoza, Amos (18) JohannesburgFell seven stories from a flat where he was allegedly escorting police to identify the place where he had made contact with an ANC member.
198923 JanuaryDakuse, Patrick (36) KhayelitshaShot dead by police after allegedly tried to prime a hand grenade from an arms cache that he had taken the police to see.
 21 AprilMbetheni, Dinana (21) AliceFound in cell hanging from an electric wire tied to a bar.
 22 DecemberRuiters, Kevin (22) Bellville SouthMother found that his face had been 'badly bashed'