The People’s United Democratic Movement (PUDEMO) ‘reject as utter nonsense’ the claim that democracy activist Sipho Jele committed suicide while in jail.
In a statement, PUDEMO says, Jele had a ‘pro-future outlook on life.’
‘Besides, we find it hard to believe that Sipho could stick out the more serious charge of treason, only to kill himself for the unlawful arrest for wearing a PUDEMO t-shirt.
‘We find it equally unbelievable that Sipho hanged himself with a blanket. If in fact if Sipho did commit suicide, as alleged by the police, why did they need to try and pressure his family to conduct a quick burial?
‘We put it to the police that that act alone suggests an attempt to avoid an autopsy and to cover up the real cause of death. The allegation of suicide is unfortunately how the police have always imaginatively explained suspicious deaths of suspects and political activists in their custody.’
The comments come in a statement running to more than 2,000 words giving PUDEMO’s account of the circumstances of Jele’s arrest, detention and death. To read the full statement, click here.
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