16 Law Enforcement Officers arrested for the death of a Civilian during the COVID 19 lockdown restriction in 2020
IPID arrested 16 Law Enforcement Officers which included 3 security officials for the death of a civilian.
The first group of 8 officers (including the 3 security officials) was arrested on 12 July 2022, while the other 8 suspects were detained on 14 July 2022.
The 16 Law Enforcement Officers appeared at the Protea Magistrate Court on 13 and 15 July 2022 respectively and were released on bail.
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.
The civilians were detained at the Lenasia police station and during the hourly visits to the cells, the deceased was still alive at the time complained of stomach pains.
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.
Bail for the police officers was set at R2000.00, while the security officials were released on R1000.00 bail. Their bail conditions are as follows; the officers must not in any way contact or communicate with the victims or other witnesses.
Enquiries:
Ms. Lizzy Suping
Director Communications and Marketing/Spokesperson
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID)
Benstra Building, 473B Stanza Bopape Street, Pretoria,
0001 T: (+27) 12 399 0092,