Four police officers attached to the Public Order Police (POPS) in Nxuba (formerly Cradock) are in custody, facing allegations of murder and kidnapping.
Spokesperson for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Phaladi Shuping says the officers allegedly hunted down a man whom they believed had robbed one of them.
He says it is alleged that the deceased was taken to POPS premises where he was assaulted.
Shuping says it is further alleged that they left the victim unconscious and knocked off duty.
He says on the 8th of January, the officers on the next shift discovered the man's body and reported a 'death in custody' case.
IPID took over the investigation which led to the arrest of the four officers on the 11th of January.
The men are facing charges of murder, kidnapping and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
They are expected to bring a formal bail application when they appear in the Cradock Magistrates Court on Friday.
IPID did not release the name of the victim and inquiries into more details about the alleged robbery of POPS are yet to be divulged.
