Pistorious expert probes Motswaledi�s death
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday August 5, 2014 13:12
Accident scene reconstruction experts from South Africa also visited the crash site in Pitsane where they conducted detailed analyses.
Reports from all experts, who have been engaged by the UDC, are expected within the week, with the party saying it would make partial information available to the public, through the media.
According to high-level sources close to the matter, Motswaledi’s body arrived at Princess Marina Hospital Sunday evening under heavy escort from Otse Police College where it had been taken from Good Hope.
Mmegi is informed that Motswaledi’s body was under police guard overnight at Princess Marina in preparation for the private pathological exam.
Durban-based Forensic Pathologist, Reggie Perumal, began the exam at 0900hrs yesterday morning and completed his examination around midday.
Perumal is no stranger to the limelight, famous for his part in Oscar Pistorius’ defence team in the on-going trial in which the paralympian is accused of killing his girlfriend. The celebrated pathologist also testified for the families of Manganese poisoning victims and was also involved in the legal team for the Marikana miners killed by police in 2012. “The Forensic Pathologist has indicated that he will be done with the report later this week, possibly tomorrow,” said one source close to the matter.
Whilst Perumal was conducting the post mortem, a two-man team engaged by the UDC was at the accident scene where Motswaledi’s car is said to have crashed.
The two accident reconstruction experts spent yesterday at the crime scene along the Ramatlabama – Pitsane road, where they were accompanied by UDC members.
“The objectives of the accident construction specialists is to verify the nature of the accident,” said the source.
“The UDC does not believe that the injuries on Motswaledi’s body match the nature of the accident.
“He has a deep cut on his head and another bump which looks like he may have been hit with a hammer. These do not coincide with the way the accident seems to have happened.”
The UDC has said it wants to see whether the pathologist’s report will match the accident reconstruction experts opinion of Motswaledi’s demise.
The 44-year-old politician died in a car accident on Wednesday morning a few kilometres from Ramatlabama just before Pitsane village.
The UDC immediately alleged foul play in the matter and set up an account to collect donations towards private investigation of the matter. In South Africa forensic pathologists are paid more than US$ 2, 000 (P18, 000) per day. It is unclear how much Perummal will be paid.
His family, meanwhile, have said they accept Motswaledi’s death as being from a vehicle accident.
Motswaledi is due to be buried on Friday at his home village of Serowe.