Teenage prisoner 'eaten alive' in cell

An 18-year-old prisoner, Gerdo Karelse prisoner was allegedly eaten alive before being killed by a fellow inmate on Monday afternoon. He had been held in a cell with 29-year-old Zuko Mqungquthu, who had been arrested on June 24 for domestic
 violence.


Karelse was arrested after getting embroiled in an 
altercation on leaving his mother's wedding reception on Saturday.

The two prisoners were locked in the same cell at Beaufort West Police Station in the Western Cape when the incident happened.

According to sources,

“When the dead prisoner was found by cops some of his body parts, such as his nose, were nowhere to be found and the other inmate was sitting next to him, covered in blood!”

Police spokesman Captain ­Malcolm Pojie confirmed a murder docket was opened after an inmate died at the Beaufort West holding cells on Monday.

“Police officials who visited the cells at 6:15am discovered the body of 18-year-old Gerdo Karelse. He had sustained multiple facial wounds,” he said.

“Circumstances surrounding the prisoner’s death are under investigation. A post mortem will be performed to determine the possible cause of death. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate will continue with the formal murder investigation,” said Pojie.

Meanwhile, a memorial service held in his honour on June 29.

Sannie Wyles, the distraught mother of Karelse, said she had been deeply touched by the support from the greater community.

Sammie Wyles and her new husband

“This was meant to be a joyous time as I had just got married. Now I am mourning the loss of my boy.

"The police showed us the empty cell and I saw all the blood. What kind of a person does that to another human being,” said Wyles.

Sources: SABC News, Cape Times, Daily Sun.