The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)has arrested eight (8) police officers for allegedly murdering and torturing suspects on Monday afternoon. It is alleged that the decease died in police custody. IPIDnational spokesperson Ndileka Cola said the decease had been arrested for being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and dagga.
“IPID has arrested eight police officers this afternoon, 01 March 2021 for allegedly murdering and torturing suspects whilst they were in police custody, arrested for being in possession of unlicensed firearm and dagga,”
She stated that the police officers then took the two remaining suspects back to Lenasia police station in the early hours of February 24.
According to Cola IPID was not called on the crime scene after the death due to the differences between the police version of what transpired. However, the police watchdog reconstructed the crime scene to establish the facts of what actually occurred.
“Due to the significant disjunction between the police version of what transpired and that of the two surviving suspects, as well the fact that IPID was never called into the crime scene, the directorate has reconstructed the crime scene to establish the facts of what actually occurred in that crime scene,”
Cola indicated that the investigation will continue in order to get the facts straight on the actual cause of death.
“The directorate is also appointing a private pathologist to get a second opinion on the actual cause of death. The investigation process continues.”
