35-Year-old, Bafana Sibeko died allegedly in the hands of the police during an intelligence driven operation on March 06 at Emdeni South.
According to the deceased’s younger brother, Sabelo Sibeko, they heard voices outside their house around 11pm and after a short while they realised the people outside were different law enforcement agencies.
“After a few seconds the police knocked and I opened the door and they barged in and went straight to Bafana’s backroom using the house backdoor. They told us to remain inside the house.
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“Once they had found Bafana, they began searching the house, yard and his room while assaulting him and interrogating him about a gun, heist as well as robberies,” said Sabelo.
It is alleged that about ten police vehicles were at the Sibeko family premises.
Sabelo further stated that when the police searched a storage room in the yard without finding anything, they became more persistent and insisted that Bafana hand them the firearm.
But Bafana made it clear that he didn’t know anything about the gun they were looking for.
“While we were trying to figure out what was happening outside the storage room, two police officers entered the residence.
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“One of them requested some plastic bags while the other one fetched water in a 20 litre bucket and they went straight to Bafana’s backroom,” he explained.
He added that after a short while they heard Bafana shouting and screaming and he was even screaming his mother’s name shouting that he is dying.
Sabelo told Urban News that after some time it became quiet and one of his brothers, Zithulele Sibeko went outside to check. But one of the police officers told him to remain inside the house and not get involved.
“Eventually, we were able to go outside. Zithulele attempted to open the door, but it was locked, and the police had taken the key. At that moment, I decided to kick the door and when we opened it, we found Bafana’s lifeless body,” said Sabelo.
Expressing her concern, the deceased’s mother, Busisiwe Sibeko said she feels devastated by the action of the police since they depend on them for help and safety.
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“Justice must be served, what the police have done is unacceptable. If they were complying with law, they should have taken Bafana to the police station and assaulted them there rather than in front of us,” said Busisiwe.
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) spokesperson, Phaladi Shuping confirmed that they are investigating a case of murder that emanates from an incident that took place on March 06.
“It is alleged that the police were following up on information but, in the process, a civilian unfortunately lost his life. The matter was reported to IPID and they are currently busy with the investigations,” said Shuping.
