Eleven Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) officers accused of kidnapping and murdering an alleged gang member say the State is “feeding them to the wolves” after receiving threats from inmates at Pollsmoor Prison. The group claims their safety is at serious risk due to their prior arrests of individuals now in custody, Cape Argus reports.

The officers, who cannot be named due to a court order, appeared before the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. The courtroom was filled with both supporters of the accused and those of the deceased, Wade Price — an alleged member of the Clever Kidz gang (CKs) from Manenberg.

The AGU members stand accused of kidnapping, torturing, and murdering Price on 4 December, following an interrogation related to a shooting incident that took place outside the same court the day before. The State has since added a fifth charge: attempting to defeat the administration of justice.

According to the investigating officer’s affidavit, the officers were aware of Price’s gang affiliation and allegedly transported him and his friends into the territory of a rival gang, the Hard Livings, where they reportedly “paraded” them while in custody. The group was then taken to Manenberg SAPS. CCTV footage reportedly shows the accused entering the station with Price and three others — consistent with the account given by Price’s friends.

While the three were later released, Price was allegedly taken to a property on Vygekraal Road. There, the State claims, the officers unlawfully killed him by striking him with unknown objects and suffocating him.

All eleven officers deny the charges. In their bail applications, they expressed shock that the State was opposing their release, especially after the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) reportedly recommended bail of R1,000.

One officer said they were recognised in the holding cells by inmates who threatened them, saying: “Ons wag vir jou by Pollsmoor” (We are waiting for you at Pollsmoor). Another said he had planned to get married on 21 December but now fears he may be behind bars instead of at the altar.

The accused argued that they have become targets due to their work with law enforcement and should not be treated as criminals. “We are being guarded like the most wanted people,” said one officer. “Yet we rid the streets of crime and worked hand in hand with the State.”

They also insisted that they would not flee or interfere with witnesses if granted bail. However, the State is expected to argue that the accused personally interviewed the witnesses on the day Price died, increasing the risk of witness interference.

The court previously heard that witnesses saw Price enter the Vygekraal Road property alive with the accused. Emergency services were only called after his death. However, one of the officers claims in his affidavit that he was the one who contacted emergency services before Price succumbed.

Outside court, Manenberg residents protested, stating that the AGU officers had done little to improve safety in their community.

The matter has been postponed to 19 December for further argument.

IOL News

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