A peaceful demonstration was held outside the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning, calling for the release of the remaining Phoenix murder accused, following the death of co-accused 39-year-old Jeethendra Jaikissoon while in detention awaiting trial.
Jaikissoon died on Friday, 22 October, at King Edward Hospital, after falling ill in Westville Prison where he was held while awaiting trial. Anger by his death, frustrated protestors gathered outside court, where the man had appearing, holding placards expressing their dissatisfaction with the justices system and calling for action to be taken against those responsible for the alleged mistreatment of Jaikissoon. Community activist, Alice Govender said it was a very solemn day as Jaikissoon’s death was a very tragic one. “Today also showed us that the community of Phoenix fully stands behind the Jaikissoon family. It is indeed a travesty of justice and I believe the community of Phoenix can no longer stand by and tolerate the injustices, of not only the Jaikissoon family, but to the entire community.” Govender said she calls on all residents of Phoenix to ensure they support all efforts made by every group, either religious, political or community, in the fight against the injustice of the 30 accused that have not been given bail. “It is constitutionally wrong. We must stand together in one voice to fight this.” Following the death of Jaikissoon, the community and religious leaders have called for a full report and an investigation by the Department of Correctional Services into what transpired from the time there was a call for help from Jaikissoon until he was taken to the prison’s medical facilities as well as the time the ambulance was summoned to take him to King Edward Hospital.
According to Pastor Mervin Reddy, a friend of the family, Dr Reggie Perumal, a seasoned pathologist, will be conducting an independent post-mortem on Jaikissoon to establish the cause of death as the family claimed that they were not happy with the information provided to them by the Department of Correctional Services. The spokesperson for the department Singabakho Nxumalo, confirmed that Jaikissoon was transferred to hospital, complaining about difficulty in breathing and chest pains. “A detailed investigation will be launched and this will be assisted by an autopsy report in determining an actual cause of death. Our sincere condolences go to the family of the deceased,” he added. The leader of the African Democratic Change (ADeC), Visvin Reddy, visited the home of Jaikissoon on Saturday and presented the family with a certificate in honour of his bravery for protecting the community during the July unrest. Jaikissoon was married for five years and did not have any children. He suffered from diabetes. Reddy explained to Jaikissoon’s wife that a certificate was to be presented to him upon his release from prison. “He is a hero and what happened is a grave injustice. Your husband was innocent and did not deserve to face what he faced. They called for help early in the morning but the help only arrived around 12pm. He is innocent, as evidence produced in court exonerated him from any wrongdoing,” alleged Reddy.
Reddy said he had heard that whenever Jaikissoon’s wife left the prison after seeing him, he would go into depression as he missed her. Beverly Shaik, Ward 49 ADeC candidate, said she travelled with Jaikissoon to work and knew him to be a wonderful person. “He talked highly of his wife and how much he loved her,” said Shaik. Reddy called it a travesty of justice as an innocent life has been lost. “ADeC maintains that the culprits responsible for the unrest and looting are the African National Congress (ANC) and the government. Focusing on Phoenix is a deflection away from the root cause of the problem,” said Reddy. Jaikissoon as well as brothers, Ned and Dylan Govender, were accused in the death of Mondli Majola during the July unrest. Reddy said they have warned repeatedly that those who are incarcerated in prison have not been found guilty in court. “There is no evidence presented in court that Jaikissoon was responsible for any of the deaths. He died due to negligence by the police. President Cyril Ramaphosa and the state have failed our people. We believe that Ramaphosa is responsible for Jaikissoon’s death because of his inability to protect the people. Citizens had to stand up to protect their communities. In defending their communities they faced attack too and they defended themselves. The justice system failed Jaikissoon,” alleged Reddy.
Reddy explained that he had spoken to some of the accused in prison and heard how they are allegedly not being given medication and food and are allegedly treated as victims of racism. “They are being treated as criminals although they are not. They are awaiting trial prisoners and are innocent until proven guilty,” said Reddy. Guru Acharya Shyam Ramanuj, from the Sri Narayan Dham in Reservoir Hills, said Sri Narayan has interlinked itself with various organisations and will ensure that justice prevails like they did during apartheid. Guru Ramanuj explained that the violence was right outside Jaikissoon’s boundary. “In the height of the burning and the looting seen on TV he would have had to have some sort of defence gestures as a human being. The human will lose certain rationality to protect his family. His defensive mechanism came alive. For that he was incarcerated as well as many of the accused,” said Guru Ramanuj.
Pastor Reddy said the deceased was a humble, fun-loving person. “He would not harm a fly. To hear the tragic news of his passing away and the difficult circumstances he faced for 90 days being incarcerated at Westville prison, knowing that he was innocent, is defeating his Constitutional rights and human dignity. It violated the rights of his family from losing him in this tragic circumstances,” said Pastor Reddy. Pastor Reddy added that after the funeral arrangements, the family will express themselves publicly to ensure that Jaikissoon’s death is not in vain. Pastor Reddy said the funeral of Jaikissoon is planned for Tuesday after the post-mortem is completed.
