A 38-year-old man who was injured while being taken into police custody is in critical condition, his family has reported.
The police attempted to apprehend the local man on July 15, following an order from the Drug Court to present him at 1:00 pm on July 16. During the arrest, he sustained injuries and was subsequently hospitalized.
Social media reports suggest that the man was injured when he jumped from a window when the police arrived at his residence to arrest him. However, the family has not confirmed this account.
A family member stated that when they requested the man be taken to hospital for his injuries, the police initially took him into police custody, claiming he was in good condition. The family said the victim suffered spinal injuries and a brain hemorrhage, and is now on ventilator support in critical condition.
As the victim’s family has serious concerns about the police’s handling of the incident, the police have asked the Police Professional Standards Command, the National Integrity Commission, and the Human Rights Commission to look into the matter.
