A Western Cape High Court ruled that the police minister must pay nearly R1 million in damages to the son of a woman who died by suicide while in police custody. The woman had refused to hand over her shoelaces, which police were obligated to remove due to safety regulations. Due to a lack of a female officer on duty, the police were unable to conduct a proper search and the woman tragically used her shoelaces to take her own life.
A McGregor woman's son will receive damages after his mother tragically took her own life using the very shoelaces the police were obligated to remove from her. The Western Cape High Court has ruled that the police minister must pay nearly R1 million in damages to the son of the woman who died by suicide while in police custody . According to court documents, the deceased had adamantly refused to relinquish her shoelaces to the police upon her arrest.
This refusal led to a series of negligent actions by the police, ultimately resulting in her tragic death. Due to the lack of a female officer available that night, the police were unable to conduct a proper search of the deceased, as required by standing orders. The requirement for same-gender searches was essential to ensure the safety and dignity of detainees. To rectify the situation, a patrol van from Robertson had to be dispatched to a designated halfway point with a female officer on board. The deceased would then be transported from McGregor to the halfway point for the search to take place. However, due to a communication breakdown, the McGregor police van arrived at the halfway point without the deceased. Upon returning to the McGregor police station, they tragically discovered the deceased unresponsive, having hanged herself from the window bars using her own shoelaces. The court noted the chilling irony of the situation, stating that the deceased had used the very items the police were supposed to have removed from her to take her own life. A police officer promptly cut the ligature, but it was too late; the deceased had already passed away. Judge Patrick Gamble acknowledged the profound emotional grief experienced by Marius Otto, the deceased's 11-year-old son, at the time of his mother's death, which occurred just a day after his 11th birthday. The judge noted that Otto faced difficulties concentrating at school and even failed the year in which he lost his mother. However, despite these challenges, Otto persevered and eventually completed his matriculation. He is actively involved in cricket, both as a player and a coach. The judge observed that Otto harbors negative feelings towards the police, whom he blames for his mother's death. Nevertheless, Otto appears determined to move on with his life and has shown resilience and responsibility. He is now a father himself and has a life partner
Suicide Police Custody Damages Negligence Shoelaces
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