In a gripping continuation of the trial within a trial, Detective Sergeant Mzamo Mbovane took the stand on Wednesday to provide critical testimony regarding the treatment of Steveno van Rhyn during his police custody. With over two decades of experience serving in the South African police, Mbovane’s testimony comes in the wake of serious allegations that Van Rhyn, alongside Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, was subjected to physical abuse and torture by police officers during questioning on March 4 and 5, 2024.
During his time on the witness stand, Mbovane detailed the events leading up to and including Van Rhyn’s medical examination, which he, along with Sergeant Emilio Benjamin and Sergeant Francois Engelbrecht, oversaw. He confirmed that they transported Van Rhyn to a medical facility, where he was due to provide a confession regarding ongoing investigations.
Controversy surrounds Van Rhyn’s assertions that he endured brutal treatment at the hands of the police—claims that include being hung in the air, suffocated with a plastic bag, beaten, and threatened with a firearm. However, in a surprising twist, Mbovane testified that during Van Rhyn’s examination, the accused admitted to sustaining his injuries while “falling from a friend’s bakkie he was driving in, over the weekend.” Such statements contradict earlier allegations made by Van Rhyn, raising questions about the credibility of the claims against the police force.
“When the doctor asked if he had injuries, he said ‘yes’. He told the doctor his arms and legs were sore,” Mbovane recounted before the court. “He was later taken for X-rays, and the J88 document was completed and handed to me afterwards.” Following the examination, they all returned to the Sea Border offices, where Van Rhyn was formally handed over. Interesting to note, Mbovane clarified that he was not involved in the broader investigation of the case.
The atmosphere in the courtroom intensified when Nobahle Mkabayi, Van Rhyn’s lawyer, probed Mbovane about the alleged abuse. In an attempt to clarify the circumstances, Mbovane stated he was unaware of any assault but acknowledged that the doctor required Van Rhyn to remove his clothing for a thorough physical examination. This revelation adds another layer to the unfolding narrative of the trial.