Alleged Elsies River police brutality: Anti-crime body calls on SAPS to review training protocol

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition has called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) to review its training protocols following the death of an Elsies River resident due to alleged police brutality.

The coalition said members of police's anti-gang unit interrogated eight suspects after responding to a shooting in Elsies River last week.

A day later, 39-year-old Cheslin Christians passed away after allegedly being beaten during the interrogation.

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Thecoalition's Imraahn Mukkadam said a complaint has been lodged with the South Africa Human Rights Commission (HRC).

"The people of the Cape Flats deserve safety from both crime and from those sworn in to protect them.”

Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk said an autopsy is being done to determine the exact cause of Christians' death.

"We are still awaiting the autopsy report to determine the cause of death, as it is still undetermined if the cause of death is related to the alleged assault. The victim died one day after the alleged incident."

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

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