Four police in court over alleged drunk driver's death

The case of four police officers arrested in connection with the death of an alleged drunk driver was heard in the Ekangala Magistrate's Court on Monday, said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid).

"It's been postponed to Wednesday for a bail application," said Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini.

The four officers had arrested the man for drunk driving on Christmas day.

Hours later, paramedics who were called to the police station certified him dead.

"He had multiple injuries all over his body," said Dlamini.

"The officers alleged that the deceased resisted arrest and they eventually managed to arrest him and put him inside the back of a police van."

They claimed to have transported him to the station for paperwork and later took him to a district surgeon to draw his blood.

"They alleged that while transporting him he kicked the door of the van and injured himself in the process."

"They further alleged that when they opened the door of the van after returning to the police station, the deceased jumped out and fell on his face, injuring his face and head," said Dlamini.