Police watchdog probes two cases in the Eastern Cape

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is investigating two cases in the Eastern Cape.

This follows the death of a 14-year-old boy in Palmietfontein who was allegedly shot dead by police wearing balaclavas.

Ipid spokesperson, Moses Dlamini, says the incident happened on Friday when police allegedly tried to stop members of the local community from gathering.

He says several boys were allegedly assaulted, tortured and forced to do sit ups.

It is alleged that police wanted to prevent the community from gathering and when the police left the community gathered again and the police came and assaulted the youth and they also told them to run. Police fired while they were running killing a fourteen year old.

The shooting was only reported after the scene was cleared. The IPID will also be opening a case against the police for late reporting in terms of section 33 of the IPID Act, No. 1 of 2011.

Meanwhile, the second incident under investigation by the police watchdog body relates to an incident in East London on Sunday.

It is alleged that a member of the SAPS attended to a housebreaking report and the suspects ran away. The policeman allegedly stopped the vehicle and gave chase on foot after he saw the suspect. When he got close to the shacks, he was approached by four males, including the one that he was chasing. The group of males allegedly tried to overpower and disarm the policeman, managing to pull his bullet proof off. The policeman then used his service pistol and fired four shots. The suspects ran away.

The policeman informed radio control of the incident. It is alleged that while patrolling on Setlaars Highway, the police saw an ambulance at a Shell Garage and went to investigate. They allegedly found one of the suspects that had attacked the policeman. The suspect had sustained a gunshot wound to the stomach. The suspect was taken to hospital where he was admitted. A case of assault and malicious damage to property was opened by the SAPS member against the suspect.

The investigations into both shootings continue.