Cape Town - Atlantis residents are outraged following the death of a 24-year-old, who died in custody at the Atlantis police station.
They want action taken against any police officer who might have had a hand in it.
The body of Demitri Brewell was found in the cells on Sunday morning. He was arrested for alleged drug possession.
It is alleged he was assaulted and the side of his face was swollen. The police version is that he collapsed in the cells.
Ward councillor Allister Lightburn said: “We need to get to the bottom
of the issue and we need answers from the police about what really happened.
“If it is true that the deceased was beaten by a police officer then that police officer must bear the consequences. Anyone placed in police custody should be protected.”
Community leader Greg Bernado said: “The incident of a person, allegedly being beaten in police holding cells, should be thoroughly investigated. The community needs answers,”
The incident also shocked 42-year-old Atlantis resident Antionnete Smith, whose 18-year-old son, Lyle, sustained serious injuries after he was allegedly beaten in the back of a police van when it was involved in a crash, on August 12, 2017.
At the time of the incident, he was 17 years old. The National Prosecution Authority decided not to prosecute.
Smith said: “Yes, it opened old wounds but I got my son back alive.”
Police spokesperson Siyabulelo Malo said Brewell collapsed in cells, in the early hours of Sunday.
He said the police were investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and the post-mortem would indicate the cause of his death.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) acting national spokesperson Sontaga Seisa said: “Ipid confirms that we received reports of the death in police custody in Atlantis police station. We have commenced our investigation and have not affected any arrest.”