While Northern Cape police maintain at this stage no foul play is suspected, the incident is bringing back memories of tragic deaths that occurred at the same police station, which was previously known as the Transvaal Road Police Station over four decades ago. 

The building in question is located in a street now named after anti-apartheid youth activist, Phakamile Mabija, who died after plunging from the 6th floor of the notorious building in July 1977. He at the time was detained for his alleged involvement in a bus boycott in which public transport infrastructure was stoned in the provincial capital.

Coincidentally an inquest into Mabija’s death in 1977 found that the injuries sustained by the deceased activist in the incident were in fact self-inflicted by him jumping out of the 6th floor of the police building.

Mabija’s death was also probed during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Mashay Gamieldien, tells OFM News the unknown man hanging from the building was reportedly discovered on Monday by a security guard working across the police station at around 06:00. “The identity of the deceased is still unknown. How the deceased gained access to the building is under investigation,” says Gamieldien.

The incident is believed to have temporarily brought traffic to a standstill as the body was being removed from the scene.

OFM News