As investigations continue into the events leading up to the death of former cricketer Peter Roebuck, South African police confirm they are treating his death as suicide. Keme Nzerem reports.
The former Somerset cricket captain, who had been covering Australia’s tour of South Africa as a sports journalist, jumped from a hotel room window on Saturday night after he was reportedly questioned by officers from the sexual crimes unit.
Police refused to comment on whether they had been in contact with Roebuck at the Southern Sun Hotel in Newlands, Cape Town, prior to his death.
Given his state of mind, he just had a brain snap, that is all I can assume. Jim Maxwell
Officers have described Roebuck’s death as suicide, and are continuing to examine the circumstances. A South African police service spokesman said that there was nothing to suggest foul play but that a lengthy process would need to take place before a formal cause of death could be announced.
According to reports in the Australian media Roebuck called his friend, fellow commentator Jim Maxwell, and asked him to come to his room. When he arrived, Mr Maxwell said he found two policemen and Roebuck, apparently stunned by news that a 26-year-old Zimbabwean man had made allegations of sexual assault against him.
Mr Maxwell said Roebuck asked him to find a lawyer for him and to contact some students he sponsored at a house in Pietermaritzburg. Police then told Mr Maxwell to leave the room.
Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Mr Maxwell said: ”Peter was in a state of utter despair. He was sitting in a chair, near the window and I can tell you it takes five seconds to open that window.
”Given his state of mind, he just had a brain snap – that is all I can assume.”
In 2001 Roebuck was handed a four-month suspended jail sentence after admitting charges of common assault against three South African teenagers, whom he had caned following a coaching session.