Top-level probe into Keetmans cell death

NOEL Thompson (42), who died shortly after his release from Police custody at Keetmanshoop last week, suffered seven fractured ribs, a ruptured liver and multiple bruises to his head and body.

This is the finding of a post-mortem report that The Namibian has seen. Six hours after his arrest on a charge of domestic violence, Thompson was certified dead.In an earlier interview, Thompson’s family accused the Police of beating him to death, a charge subsequently denied by NamPol’s Deputy Commissioner for the Karas Region, Josephat Abel.POLICE DENY RESPONSIBILITY Yesterday, Abel reiterated a claim that a fight broke out between inmates in the town’s Police cells and Thompson sustained injuries that could have led to his death.He said a murder docket had been opened but no arrest has been made so far.According to Abel, Deputy Commissioner Marius Visser of the Detective Unit in Windhoek visited Keetmanshoop last week to investigate Thompson’s death.Abel implored community members to avoid spreading rumours that the Police have beaten the suspect to death.”People with evidence proving beyond reasonable doubt that Police assaulted the suspect must come forward,” he said.The allegation made by Thompson’s family came only days after the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, issued a serious warning against alleged rights abuses by some members of the Police.He said allegations of this nature were tarnishing the image of the Police, and called on Police commanders to ensure they were thoroughly investigated.Meanwhile, another suspect died in custody last week – this time at Rosh Pinah in the South.According to Abel, the suspect committed suicide by setting himself on fire.The suspect died of suffocation and multiple burns, Abel said.A year ago, the Keetmanshoop Police were in the limelight after nine members of the Serious Crime Unit and Special Branch at the town were suspended in connection with the death of a suspect.They allegedly beat to death Makarius Iikali while they were interrogating him at the end of February last year.The nine officers are due to appear in court next month and remains suspendedSix hours after his arrest on a charge of domestic violence, Thompson was certified dead.In an earlier interview, Thompson’s family accused the Police of beating him to death, a charge subsequently denied by NamPol’s Deputy Commissioner for the Karas Region, Josephat Abel.POLICE DENY RESPONSIBILITY Yesterday, Abel reiterated a claim that a fight broke out between inmates in the town’s Police cells and Thompson sustained injuries that could have led to his death.He said a murder docket had been opened but no arrest has been made so far.According to Abel, Deputy Commissioner Marius Visser of the Detective Unit in Windhoek visited Keetmanshoop last week to investigate Thompson’s death.Abel implored community members to avoid spreading rumours that the Police have beaten the suspect to death.”People with evidence proving beyond reasonable doubt that Police assaulted the suspect must come forward,” he said. The allegation made by Thompson’s family came only days after the Inspector General of the Namibian Police, Lieutenant General Sebastian Ndeitunga, issued a serious warning against alleged rights abuses by some members of the Police.He said allegations of this nature were tarnishing the image of the Police, and called on Police commanders to ensure they were thoroughly investigated.Meanwhile, another suspect died in custody last week – this time at Rosh Pinah in the South.According to Abel, the suspect committed suicide by setting himself on fire.The suspect died of suffocation and multiple burns, Abel said.A year ago, the Keetmanshoop Police were in the limelight after nine members of the Serious Crime Unit and Special Branch at the town were suspended in connection with the death of a suspect.They allegedly beat to death Makarius Iikali while they were interrogating him at the end of February last year.The nine officers are due to appear in court next month and remains suspended