AFFIDAVIT IN TERMS OF SECTION 212(4) OF ACT 51/1977
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH NORTHWEST PROVINCE
I, Dr Ruweida Moorad [ID Number REDACTED], hereby take oath and say:
I am in the Service of the Department of Health Northwest Province as a Specialist Forensic Pathologist.
I am registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a Specialist Forensic Patholigist [MP No.: 0442003]
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I declare that I know and understand the contents of this statement. I have no objection to taking the prescribed oath. I consider the prescribed oath to be binding on my conscience. I swear that this statement is true, so help me God.
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Postmortem Number: 90-2017
Coligny CAS No: 63-04-2017
The following injuries were present as documented in the autopsy report, Page 2, Paragraph 4.
1. Abrasions of the forehead were present, extending from the midline of the forehead, across the right side, around the right eye and extending to the right cheek, covering a total area of 150x130mm. The abrasion shows features of a ‘brush’ or ‘graze’ abrasion, showing linear grazes of abraded skin with partial contusions.
a. An abrasion is a superficial scrape of the skin. It is caused by tangential impact of a blunt object/surface against the skin, or the impact of the skin against a blunt object or surface.
2. There was contusion and swelling of the right eye.
a. This is a periorbital haematoma or a ‘black eye’. Blood has collected in the soft tissues of the right eye. (Refer to attached reference – page 179) [1. Saukko, P. (2004). Knight’s Forensic Pathology, 3Ed. Hodder Education.]
3. Oval abrasions with contusions, of the left forehead and lateral left cheek were present The wound on the chee.k measured 30x35mm, and the wounds on the left forehead measured 20x18mm and 40x30mm. Surrounding contusions were present.
a. Abrasions have been described above. A contusion is commonly known as a bruise, is a form of blunt force trauma. It is .caused by bleeding from blood vessels beneath an intact epidermis.
4. Abrasion, of the left side of the skin of the upper lip, extending to the left cheek were present, measuring 55x20mm.
5. Oval abrasion of the right side of 'the chin was present.
6. A circular contusion of the midline of the lower chin was present.
7. Feint abrasions of the left side of the chin and left lower jaw were present measuring 10x8mm and 18x8mm.
8. Petechial haemorrhage of the right side of the inner lip and contusion of left lower gum were present.
a. These are small pin-point bleeds beneath the surface of the skin.
8. Graze abrasion of the inner aspect of the .right forearm-was present, covering an area of 180x30mm. Surrounding contusion was present.
b. Graze abrasions or brush abrasions are scrapes of the skin over a larger area. (Refer to attached reference - page 138)
10. An irregular area of abrasion of the medial part of the right upper arm, near the axilla, was present. The wound measured 30x20mm.
11. An irregular abrasion of the left upper back, near the left shoulder, was present. The wound showed features consistent with a graze or brush abrasion and measured 70x20mm.
12. An oval abrasion of .the posterior .left upper shoulder measuring 10x10mm was present.
13. A linear abrasion of the left occipital scalp was present. The lesion consisted of two linear parallel abrasions measuring 20x15mm.
14.A small oval abrasion of the left occipital scalp was present 15.Irregular oval abrasion of the left parietal scalp was present measuring 5mm.
16. Two small linear abrasions of the right upper back were present · measuring 5mm.
17. Two linear abrasions of the left lower back were present measuring 15mm and 10mm.
Several small punctate abrasions of the right axillary area were present.
a. These are small circular abrasions possibly caused by fine gravel or stones
19. A deep abrasion of the right lower lateral abdominal wall was present. The wound was oval in shape measuring 80x45mm.
20. Two circular abrasions of the anterior left knee were present The wounds measured 10x10mm and 20x·10mm.
21. Small oval abrasions .of the left elbow were present.
22. Circular abrasion of the right knee measuring 25x20mm was present with surrounding small linear abrasions.
23. Linear non-patterned abrasion of the dorsum of the left wrist was present. The abrasion measured 25x10mm.
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These injuries are consistent with injuries due to a fall or jump from a moving vehicle. In my opinion, it is more probable that the deceased fell from the vehicle, as the protective, defensive types of injuries were not noted during the autopsies.
These protective mechanisms would include injuries to the outstretched hands/limbs e.g. abrasions to the palms, fractures of the wrist/forearm, referred to as the protective extension reflex which protects the head.
It is not possible, from the injuries, to state with certainty whether the deceased jumped off the vehicle (intentional) or fell from the vehicle (unintentional), however the injuries to the front of the face and absence of more injuries to the forearms and hands suggests that the deceased fell of the vehicle.
Signed
Dr R Moorad
Signed at POTCHEFSTROOM this 22nd day of September 2017
I certify that the deponent has acknowledge (sic) that he/she knows and understands the contents of the above declaration, that he/she has no objection to taking the prescribed oath and considers it to be binding on his/her conscience.
Thus signed and sown to before me at Potchefstroom on this day of 22nd September 2017.
Signed
COMMISSIONER OF OATHS
FULL NAME: PETRUS KELEBANDILE NKOSI
BUSINESS ADDRESS: CORNER NELSON MANDELA AND PETER MOKABA STREET POTCHEFSTROOM
ENDS
Diagram of the injuries on the body of Matlhomola Jonas Moshoeu according to Dr Moorad's report on the autopsy carried out on 28th April 2017:
