OWN CORRESPONDENT, Noupoort | Thursday
A TEENAGER from Moreleta Park in Pretoria has died in a “detention camp” at a Christian care centre in Noupoort for drug and alcohol addicts, apparently after being chained by his neck in a disciplinary cell, Beeld newspaper reports.
The centre, run by clergymen, has accused the police of “unprofessional and preposterous” action after two of their instructors were arrested in connection with the death of Logan Klingenberg, 16, of Moreleta Park. He had been a pupil at the Waterkloof High School, reported the newspaper.
An upset family member of Klingenberg’s on Wednesday evening said “the way he died is sick, since he had endeavoured to become a better person”.
Patients are apparently handcuffed and left sitting either in the hot sun or in the cold; they have to dig huge holes before receiving food, and are kicked and punched to “break down their rebelliousness”.
Centre representative Jeffrey McCarthy told Beeld that Logan was admitted to the centre on May 5, but had then escaped on Friday night.
His mother told us to try and prevent him from reaching her, as he was bound to assault her. Five staff members later caught him walking along the road.”
McCarthy said that as punishment for the escape Logan was sent to Midlandia, the detention centre or training camp where male patients are sent.
“It is not a pleasant place, and is similar to the army. He [Logan] refused to work. He was then chained to the bars in his cell preventing him from either sitting down or sleeping,” Beeld quoted him as saying.
The police said that Logan was found chained and hanging from his neck on Tuesday morning by staff members.
“It appears they tried to resuscitate him but were unsuccessful.”
The police were called by a pastor, but Logan had been unchained by the time they arrived on the scene. He had marks on his neck. An autopsy will be performed in Kimberley on Monday, said the newspaper.
The two instructors, 34 and 30 years of age, were arrested on Tuesday. They are expected to appear in court soon.
“We are convinced the boy committed suicide, but I cannot swear on the Bible to it. There were no eyewitnesses,” McCarthy added. “We realise that an unnatural death has to be probed. However, to apprehend the instructors on the basis of patients’ statements is unprofessional. The police are interfering in the centre’s business.
“We have about 250 patients and now chaos has ensued here, since they are all upset.”
The instructors involved, who worked on a voluntary basis “for the love of God”, only did duty at the detention camp. He added, however, that the police were opposed to the centre’s methods and the detention camp was controversial.
The centre was founded about ten years ago by senior pastor Sophos Nissiotis. A total of 35 staff members were employed. McCarthy said in terms of the centre’s constitution, patients were required to abstain from their addiction and lead a “proper life” otherwise they were sent to Midlandia.
Meanwhile four patients have absconded from the centre, which regards itself as the best rehabilitation unit in the southern hemisphere.
Noupoort is halfway between Colesberg and Middelburg on the main route between Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth.