Urgent investigation into Jaikissoon’s death required

IT IS with great sadness that I have learnt of the death, while in custody, of Mr Jeetendra Jaikissoon, an “accused” arrested during the violence that flared up in July in Phoenix.

Mr Jaikissoon, who was an accused arrested over murder with other members of the “Indian” community, had been repeatedly denied bail, despite all protestations against the charges as well as the fact that he was not a flight risk that would have compromised the investigation into the allegations levelled against him.

The unrest in Phoenix was dubbed as “racial riots” noting that such an event occurred in what is considered a predominantly “Indian” area and the victims were classified as “black”.

Race notwithstanding, and without any other evidence to the contrary, the untimely and tragic passing away of Mr Jaikissoon reeks of impropriety and/or acts or omission that merit an urgent inquiry and investigation into his death.

The public demands that despite the dictum of “innocent until proven guilty” that must prevail at all times, irrespective of who the accused are, the denial of bail in this matter has a palpable perception of a racial bias, motivated by the circumstances under which Mr Jaikissoon was arrested and the persistent denial of bail thereto.

This cannot be allowed to be left unchallenged and, importantly, was the prima facie evidence so compelling that any notion of Mr Jaikissoon being released on bail would have compromised or interfered with further investigations?

Was the denial of bail in any way related to the fact that Mr Jaikissoon was classified “Indian” and the victim/s were classified “black” under the pretext of following the letter of the law in such a denial?

It is a sad indictment of our times that the above questions have to be asked, but they are questions relevant to this tragedy nonetheless, as the race factor becomes glaringly apparent, facts notwithstanding.

Any reticence on the part of authorities to thoroughly investigate the circumstances leading to Mr Jaikissoon’s untimely death would be suggestive of a cover-up intended to protect those who used the “Phoenix unrest” to satisfy a lustful racial bias, which would be as despicable as it would be intolerable.

South Africa knows too well the painful pangs of losing a son of this soil in the form of Steve Biko, who also died in the custody of the police services. The infamous utterance of Jimmy Kruger, the then apartheid minister of police, “grieved” with the words, “It leaves me cold”. I would hope that the expected forthcoming condolences will not simply be “cold” words, but will be an impassioned desire to seek the truth and justice for the late Mr Jaikissoon, as he rightfully deserves, even in death.

Mr President, your patent lack of decisive action, together with that of the security apparatus during the unrest, resulted in numerous deaths occurring that were unnecessary.

Please do not allow this tragedy to be swept under the carpet for the sake of expediency or to satisfy a political purpose – that would deny true justice from being meted out. NARENDH GANESH | Durban North