The treatment of Mido Macia, caught on video, further tarnished the reputation of the police in South Africa where about 1,000 people a year die in custody or as result of police action.
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As eight former police officers accused of killing Mido Macia prepare to hear their fate in the High Court in Pretoria this morning, the Mozambican taxi driver’s family say they remain positive the judge will rule in their favour.
Taxi driver Mr Macia, 27, died after being tied and dragged behind a police van near Johannesburg in an incident recorded on video by a bystander.
“As a family, we are not doing well”. He paid for school fees and other things.
Macia’s sister Mellita Macia said details of her brother’s death brought tears to her eyes‚ saying they welcomed the judgment but would never forgive the policemen.
Earlier this month‚ a ninth former police officer initially charged with the group‚ Matome Ramatlou‚ was acquitted by the court.
The eight killers – Bongamusa Mdluli, Meshack Malele, Thamsanqa Ngema, Percy Mnisi, Sipho Ngobeni, Lungisa Gwababa, Bongani Kolisi and Linda Sololo – appeared dejected as walked to the police holding cells located underneath the court.
“The accused must rise now”.
All eight accused have pleaded not guilty to the crime.
The eight had been on bail during the trial.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesman Luvuyo Mfako said the men will be sentenced on September 22.
They said Mr Macia had fallen out of the van and the handcuffs “accidentally hooked on to the back on the van”. However, the State claimed the accused were well aware of the fact he was being dragged behind the van.
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Just over two hours later he was found dead in his cell in a pool of blood. The incident made global headlines and sparked several protests against police brutality.
