Police watchdog IPID is to launch an investigation into the Anti-Gang Unit, who are accused of murdering a Heideveld father.
Tears flowed in the Cape Flats community on Wednesday as friends of Schabir Dollie, 45, recounted the brutal attack by AGU officers which saw the dad of six “being flung in the air and dropped on his head”.
Angry residents are demanding that the cops responsible be prosecuted for his murder, adding the vuilgat officers ripped out home cameras to get rid of evidence.
The incident took place at a house in Zuurberg Road on Sunday where Dollie was spending the night.
Friend Tashreeq Cassiem, 21, says he was asleep with his girlfriend and baby when they heard shouting.
“‘Maak oop julle n***ers,’ they shouted as they came in carrying big guns,” explains Tashreeq.
He says officers immediately started beating up all the men in the house.
“They kept asking for guns and hitting us. We kept saying we are not gangsters and don’t have guns but they just went on.
“Two of them picked Schabir up and dropped him on the floor and all we heard was a loud bang until blood started coming from his head and they threw a blanket over him and laughed, saying he is dead.”
Friend Joseph Miller, 40, was admitted to Heideveld Emergency Centre after suffering a spinal injury as a result of allegedly being beaten with a rifle.
“They hit me with the guns until I heard something crack and I can’t even walk. They told me at the hospital that I must come back for another check-up but if they operate, I can become completely paralysed,” says Joseph, revealing a bump on his back.
Sister Kamiela, 55, says Schabir was taken to Groote Schuur Hospital where he died the next day.
“He had a big hole at the back of his head and lost consciousness. He went into a coma and then he died,” she says.
“As a family, we are in complete shock that he has died at the hands of police who are supposed to protect us. We are demanding that action is taken against these officers.”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson, Grace Langa, says: “I can confirm that the IPID was informed of the case and because it is still new, we are still allocating the investigator who will then resume with investigations. We attended the scene and one person indeed is reported dead.”