South Africa to investigate Zimbabwean deaths at detention centre


By Tererai Karimakwenda
05 August 2005

The body of Alice Tshuma, a pregnant Zimbabwean woman who died last month at the Lindela detention centre in South Africa, has been moved to a government mortuary as officials begin investigating the cause of many deaths there. It is also reported that the director of this privately run facility has been suspended pending investigations.

Joyce Dube of the South Africa Women's Institute of Migration Affairs (SAWIMA) visited Leratong hospital in Johannesburg in an effort to find out which police station had arrested Tshuma. She says that officials there are very concerned about patients from Lindela. They say they often die within days. The death rate is so high that authorities have now decided to investigate the matter. Alice Tshuma's death and that of a Zimbabwean man named Mcadangeli Mlambo are expected to feature prominently in the investigation.

Joyce also reports that 20 blind Zimbabwean beggars were arrested Friday and taken to Lindela. They had no permits and had not had the opportunity to be processed at the reception centre. According to SAWIMA blind people as well as children are not supposed to be handled by Lindela. The names of the blind beggars have been forwarded to the Lawyers for Human Rights.

SAWIMA is still looking for anyone related to Alice Tshuma. You can reach them in South Africa at 27-72-687-0876. You can also e-mail us on news@swradioafrica.com.