Stuart Hess
THE South African embassy in Washington this week disputed claims by human rights organisations in South Africa and the United States that 18-year-old Azikiwe Kambule is being mistreated in prison.
Kambule is awaiting trial, and is said to face the death penalty, in Mississippi state on a charge of being an accomplice in the murder of Pam McGill. She was killed after being kidnapped by two men, including Kambule, on January 25 this year.
The trial is due to start in January 1997.
An embassy representative who did not want to be named told the Mail & Guardian that Kambule, held in Madison County jail, is in good health. “He is in constant contact with his lawyer and his mother, and they are both pleased with his prison conditions.”
Kambule left South Africa with his mother in January 1994 after his mother, Busisiwe Chabeli, gained a scholarship to study for a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Jackson University in Mississippi.
At the time of his arrest he was in his final year at Murrah High School in the town of Jackson.
Speaking for the first time on the arrest, his father, Michael Chabeli (37) of Sandton, said he had been “surprised and disappointed” when he heard the news. His son had “never shown any violent tendencies in the past”, he told the M&G.
The family decided to return to South Africa before the end of the year with the father to return first. The rest of the family was to have followed him but remained behind because of the arrest.
“Azikiwe got his mind together after his arrest and obtained his high school diploma. He is currently studying for his SAT (scholastic aptitude test) and appears to be in good health.”
Chabeli described his son as confident, charming and easy-going. “He socialises very well with other people and is a clear- thinking person who is a very likeable fellow.”
Reacting to reports that the prosecutor in Madison County had come out strongly in favour of the death penalty for the two accused men, Chabeli said he believed the reason lay in local politics: “He is elected like a politician and therefore he is answerable to his constituency.”
Despite a request by human rights organisations for assistance, Kambule has been unable to get help from any legal organisations in South Africa. “The Legal Aid Board is unable to offer assistance to someone outside the country,” said Peter Brits, senior legal administrator for the board.
According to Paul Setsetse, a representative of the minister of justice, the department will monitor the case in conjunction with the Department of Foreign Affairs.