Durban - A Chatsworth father feels some consolation after the 22nd police officer allegedly linked to his son’s killing was arrested.
Major General Kevin James handed himself over to law enforcement and was granted bail on Monday. This was in connection with investigations into the killing of Regan Naidoo, 32, of Montford in Chatsworth.
Naidoo died in 2018 while in custody at Chatsworth police station.
James was the former commander of the Chatsworth SAPS. He is now the province’s head of legal services for the police.
James was accused of defeating the ends of justice and appeared in the Durban Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
Lizzy Suping, the spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), said James was released on R3 000 bail.
“He handed himself over to law enforcement because the director of public prosecutions issued an order for his arrest. He is expected to make his next court appearance in October,” said Suping.
Twenty-one other policemen have also been arrested and released on R3 000 bail.
They are: Pushpanthan Pillay, Malcolm Naicker, Brian Naidoo, Trevor Chetty, Ralph Ogle, Mlamhli Ntutuka, Andries Botes, Sihle Ngidi, Erik Karsen, Muhammed Raoof, Eric Morajane, Preshan Lutchman, Christopher Kistan, Irindrin Maistry, Cedric Pillay, Xolani Sosibo, Kubendran Kristen, Rajan Sanders, Riyadh Adam, Devendra Chetty and Ugeshan Govender.
At the time, it was alleged that Naidoo had choked to death on a pie. An autopsy established that he died from being assaulted.
Naidoo was allegedly picked up by police in August 2018 from a Caltex Garage. Ahmed Dawood and Fardeen Carrim were arrested with Naidoo. The men were allegedly questioned about a firearm and allegedly beaten up before being taken to Chatsworth police station.
Naidoo died on August 29, 2018, at about 3am.
His father Timothy said James was accountable for his son’s death as he was the station commander at the time.
“He collapsed at the station and was taken to RK Khan Hospital and was declared dead on arrival. If they had taken him to the hospital earlier, he could have lived.
“If they did not assault him then he would still be with us – we wouldn’t be mourning his fourth death anniversary,” he said.
Timothy said he was prepared to sacrifice his life to get justice for his son.
“I do not want anyone to ever go through what I did. No other child must be tortured or parents mourn the loss of their child. I go to every court case and I have put pressure on Ipid because the police have failed us as officers, especially Kevin James,” he said.
"My family is still suffering. My granddaughter cries when she hears about her dad and my wife still gets emotional. Police are important to communities. They take an oath to protect you and make you feel safe. I no longer trust the police. How can I trust them after what happened to my son?”
The Post