This was heard by the Kwazulu-Natal High Court on Thursday.
But paramedics could not find anything amiss with Phindile Joseph Ntshongwana, investigating officer Lieutenant-Colonel Jason McGray testified.
They refused to administer any sedatives when he had his alleged seizure at the Durban Central police station on April 6 2011. "They said they were not psychiatrists and could not deal with him."
McGray said he had called on Ntshongwana's father to "talk some sense" so that officers could get him into the police van without there being any injuries. Ntshongwana has been charged with four murders.
Three of his alleged victims were decapitated. Ntshongwana is charged with murdering Thembelenkosini Cebekhulu in Montclair on March 20 2011, Paulos Hlongwa in Lamontville on March 22 2011, and Simon Ngidi in Umbilo on March 23 2011.
He is also accused of kidnapping and raping a woman on November 28 2010, and faces a charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Chaotic first appearance
There was chaos at the Durban Magistrate’s Court when Ntshongwana first appeared in April 2011.
He was seen clutching the Bible in his left hand and pushing police officers who accompanied him to the box.
After a lengthy shoving, Ntshongwana, who was loudly speaking in tongues, was allowed to leave the court.
His lawyer was not in court.
Ntshongwana’s father, Liston, told the court that his son had history of psychiatric problems, detected more than two years ago.
Liston, a former diplomat and businessperson, said his son had been treated and counselled in a number of hospitals, including the Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town for the same condition.
Ntshongwana was under a strict regime of medication, he said.
The state has already sent Ntshongwana to a district surgeon but the family felt that he had to be sent to a private psychiatrist as his condition worsened. – Sapa