Shirley Hasssan was allegedly shot and killed on her way to work on Thursday morning. Photo: Pixabay.
IPID: 16 officers arrested in connection with death of civilian in custody
It is alleged that the victim died in Lenasia police station after being assaulted by Soweto Visible Policing officers and VSS security for violating the hard COVID-19 lockdown rules in April 2020.
Shirley Hasssan was allegedly shot and killed on her way to work on Thursday morning. Photo: Pixabay.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) arrested 16 Law Enforcement officers, including three security guards, for the death of a civilian as a result of police action. The victim died in police custody in April 2020.
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IPID MAKES ARRESTS
IPID spokesperson Lizzy Suping said the first group of eight officers, including the trio of security guards, were arrested on 12 July and the remaining suspects were arrested on 14 July.
“It is alleged that the deceased and 3 other civilians were arrested for violating the COVID-19 Disaster Management Act and assaulted by the Soweto Visible Policing officers and VSS security guards Act as per Lenasia CAS 04/04/2020,” said Suping.
The civilian victims were detained at Lenasia police station. The deceased reportedly complained of stomach pains during the hourly visits officers made to the cells.
“An ambulance was called in, the paramedics declared the one civilian dead on 1 April 2020 at about 22:38. A murder case was opened as per Lenasia CAS 08/04/2020,” furthered Suping.
All suspects in the matter are out on bail after appearing before the Protea Magistrate’s Court on 13 and 15 July, respectively. The bail for the police officers was set at R2000, while the security guards were let out on R1000 bail.
The officers must not make contact or communicate with any of the witnesses or victims as part of their bail conditions, according to IPID.
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