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11 officers face charges of murder, assault, kidnapping, torture, and defeating the ends of justice.
The South African Policing Union (SAPU) says it will approach the high court to set aside a decision by the Athlone Magistrate’s Court to deny bail to 10 Western Cape anti-gang unit members who are accused of crimes including murder.
SAPU has raised concerns about the safety of the officers. An 11th officer was granted bail on medical grounds, on Tuesday.
The 11 officers face charges of murder, assault, kidnapping, torture, and defeating the ends of justice in connection with the death of alleged Manenberg gang member, Wade Price.
Their next court appearance is on the 29th of January. SAPU spokesperson Lesiba Thobakgale warns the officers’ detention at a notorious correctional facility places their lives at risk.
“We know how gangsterism in the Western Cape is, and definitely anti-gang units – they are the ones who are at the center of fighting against those gangs within the very same province. But as a union, we’ve taken it upon ourselves. Our legal department is finalising processes to approach the High Court on an urgent basis to really set aside that decision that the Magistrate Court in Athlone has made to not grant them bail,” adds Thobakgale.
