Deetlefs to be prosecuted over Aggett death

The NPA has added its weight to plans to criminally prosecute former Security Branch police officer Nick Deetlefs over his possible role in the death of anti-apartheid activist Dr Neil Aggett. According to a Cape Argus report, the NPA indicated this as Deetlefs – accused of having tortured many political activists held in detention during apartheid – was wrapping up his testimony last week at the re-opened inquest into Aggett’s death in 1982. The NPA’s Jabulani Mlotshwa said Deetlefs – who was among the Security Branch officers who interrogated Aggett – could not be trusted with his contradictory and ‘false evidence’ as he had admitted to lying under oath at the inquest, and in the case of assault in which he was charged with striking ANC stalwart Barbara Hogan. ‘In two previous court appearances where you lied, the courts relied on your word. You want this court to also rely on your word,’ Mlotshwa said. Deetlefs denied having tortured Aggett, and instead claimed that they had built a good relationship during the six hours in which he had interrogated him, adding that this had resulted in Aggett confessing to illegal activities and exposing his comrades, something he had up until then refused to do during three months of detention. Concluding his testimony, Deetlefs denied all accusations, saying that while he had lied about assaulting activists, he had no reason to continue lying. ‘I am not a healthy person and I have repented, and I would feel very guilty if I lied now,’ he said.

Full Cape Argus report (subscription needed)