"Man Awarded R800,000 for Wrongful Arrest and Detention Due to Medical Condition"

A man in South Africa has been awarded R800,000 in damages after being wrongfully arrested and detained for an alleged crime he could not have committed due to his medical condition. The case centers around a man, whose identity remains protected, who was accused of a serious offense involving a neighbor's child. However, this accusation was biologically impossible due to the man’s unique condition—he lacks genitalia following an accident during his childhood.

The man took legal action against the police and the state, seeking justice for the 54 days he spent in detention. The charges against him were later dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority, resulting in his release. Despite this, the court did not rule in his favor regarding malicious prosecution, as the case was withdrawn before it reached trial.

The arrest occurred on March 26, 2020, when the man was taken into custody at his home in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. His father had informed the investigating officer of his son’s medical condition, which should have instantly made the accusation impossible. Unfortunately, this crucial information was ignored, and the man was detained without bail. After initially being held at a local police station, he was transferred to the Ladysmith Correctional Centre, where he remained until May 18, 2020, when the case against him was officially dismissed.

While in custody, the man faced challenging conditions, including overcrowding, non-functional toilets, and limited access to clean water. The court condemned the lack of proper investigation by the officer in charge, who failed to verify the man’s medical condition or inform the prosecution, leading to his wrongful detention.

The judge also expressed concern about the poor conditions in South Africa’s correctional facilities, highlighting the overcrowding and lack of resources, which often fail to meet the basic rights of inmates. This case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigation and respect for human dignity within the legal system.