Police investigating Elsies River resident's death in alleged police brutality incident

Police are investigating exactly how an Elsies River resident died a day after he was allegedly beaten by members of the police’s anti-gang unit.

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition said that officers interrogated eight suspects after responding to a shooting in Elsies River on Tuesday last week.

Thirty-nine-year-old Cheslin Christians died a day after the interrogation.

ALSO READ: Cape Crime Crisis Coalition calls for action after Elsies River resident dies in alleged police brutality incident

Police have not responded directly to claims of brutality, but they have confirmed they are awaiting an autopsy report to determine the exact cause of death.

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition’s Imrahn Mukkadam said they’ve lodged a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

"We call upon the SAHRC to immediately launch a parallel inquiry into the gross human rights violations inherent in this case."

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) has also indicated they are looking into the matter.

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