Ndudi Anyim
The South African Police Service in Western Cape, have arrested and arraigned six suspects, involved in the assault and murder of two men at N2 Gateway in Delft, on February 25.
A video of the naked men being assaulted by some members of the said community had gone viral on social media.
The video had captured an operative of the South African Police Service (SAPS), standing by a patrol vehicle watching as the men were brutalised.
According to the Western Cape Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Thembisile Patekile, it was based on the video that an internal investigation was instituted.
He said: “ Upon being alerted to the video on Saturday, the SAPS management immediately initiated an internal probe which has thus far revealed the incident occurred on February 25, at the N2 Gateway in Delft at approximately 6:50 in the morning.
“ One of the assault victims died in hospital shortly after the attack while the other sustained serious injury. Six men were subsequently charged for murder and attempted murder following the assault. Their case is currently running in court and the suspects’ next appearance will be on May 9.
“ The internal probe is currently focussing on the Police’s initial response to the crime scene in an effort to determine whether the first responders acted accordingly from the time they arrived on the scene of crime.
“ Also whether the Police on the scene asked for backup and what transpired thereafter. The investigation is also looking into what else occurred on the scene that the video did not capture.”
Patekile added that the investigation will be undertaken from the Office of the Provincial Commissioner and led by Major General Vincent Beaton.
The Western Cape Acting Provincial Commissioner condemned all forms of vigilantism as they constitute crime that is punishable by law.
He further urged communities to work with the Police in tackling acts of criminality instead of taking the law into their own hands, adding that the Police authority will deal decisively with Police officials who are found to have abdicated their responsibilities, as the outcome of the investigation is awaited.