KWEKWE – Jacob Matanda (79), the father of a man who died in police custody from mysterious gunshot wounds, dumped an empty coffin at Munyati Police Post refusing to collect the remains of his son Blessing who died at the police post two weeks ago.
Report by Blessed Mhlanga Staff Reporter
Matanda is demanding conclusive postmortem results on the cause of his child’s death. He told NewsDay this week that he had bought the coffin after police promised they were ready to give him the results.
“I bought the coffin and dug a grave for my late son after the police called and indicated they would give me the results and the body last Thursday. But when I got to the police station, I could not get the postmortem results and could, therefore, not collect the body. That’s when I dumped the coffin at Munyati Police Station,” said Matanda.
Blessing was found in a police holding cell lying in his own blood next to a pistol in a suspected suicide case, which Matanda has dismissed, convinced his son was slain by the police.
“He was searched when the police detained him. They even asked him to remove a jacket which he wore on the day and a pair of shorts which he was wearing as part of his undergarments, which clothes were handed to us. We now want to know how he got a gun while in police custody,” a visibly shaken Matanda said.
The Matandas have vowed not to bury their relative until they find answers which will bring closure to Blessing’s tragic end.
Blessing left behind a three-month-old daughter and a 15-year-old wife, who is battling to come to terms with the death of her husband of a year.
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Matanda indicated he was contemplating calling for an inquest into the death of his son and would possibly sue the police.
“I am still grieving over the death of my child and will decide on the way forward once we bury him. But that can only happen if we get the (postmortem) results. But this will not just end, we will seek for justice,” he said. Police in Kwekwe declined to comment on the matter.
