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2009-06-30
Bongekile Mhlanga
Mkhuhlu - Mpumalanga authorities are investigating a possible police cover-up after a teenager accused of shoplifting died in custody.
Walter Mhlanga, aged 14, died on June 12 after allegedly repeatedly bashing his head into the wall of a police cell in Skukuza, in the Kruger National Park.
The youth was arrested after stealing two bottles of cooking oil and two tins of fish from a spaza shop in his home village of Cunningmore, near Hazyview.
Mhlanga, from Cunningmore, near Hazyview, was arrested on May 3 and released on R250 bail after appearing in the Mkhuhlu Magistrate's Court on May 5, charged with shoplifting.
Warrant of arrest
His aunt, Jeaneth Khosa, said Mhlanga was supposed to appear in the same court on June 5, but didn't have the money for the taxi.
"He decided to walk to court, but when he arrived the court was already finished. He returned home, not knowing that the court issued a warrant of arrest for him."
Police officers from Calcutta police arrested Mhlanga the following Monday, on June 8. Khosa said the family heard rumours that Mhlanga passed away the same day he was arrested.
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