According to the sister of a mentally ill man, 49 years old Rodrick Raphalalani, shot dead by police officers in Tembisa, South Africa, while describing his death, it is a “hurtful good riddance”.
It was gathered that Rodrick died after being hit by seven bullets inside the Tembisa Hospital on Thursday, after he allegedly stabbed a police officer several times as he refused to be admitted to the hospital.
Rodrick’s elder sister 55 years old Alina, disclosing from her home in Phomolong that Raphalalani threatened to kill her on the fateful day, said;
“After he continued threatening me … I called the Rabie Ridge police to come and take him to hospital.”
“Two officers came and he got into the van. Before we left I warned police about his violent behaviour and even suggested they call for back up.” She added.
Further revealing that at the time, Raphalalani was carrying a bag, she did not suspect he had a knife inside, she said;
“Upon our arrival at the hospital, he refused to get out of the van. One of officers sprayed pepper spray on his face. He then took off his jacket and set it alight inside the van. He then jumped off the car and started chasing us while wielding a knife. While I ran to the ICU for safety, I heard several gunshots … I was later informed that he had died.”
However, an eyewitness said the officers failed to control the patient, leading to one of them sustaining stab wounds. The witness said Rodrick was “shot while lying down”.
Alina diclosing that Rodrick had a history of addiction to nyaope and mental illness, also said;
“I didn’t have peace in my own house. He sold everything in the house and when I spoke out he threatened to stab me.
“I know people will judge me when I say his death is good riddance, but the truth is that I lived with this person and I endured the most horrible things in his hands.”
Source: Sowetan Live
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