Key Takeaways
- 11 Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) members are facing charges of murder, assault, kidnapping, and torture in connection with the death of a Manenberg man, Wade Price
- The State is opposing the release of the accused on bail, citing the seriousness of the charges and the fact that the alleged crimes were committed while the accused were on duty as police officers
- The accused are alleged to have unlawfully and intentionally killed Price by hitting him multiple times with objects, restraining him, and smothering and choking him
- The case is set for a formal bail application on December 18 and 19, with the remaining eight accused scheduled to appear in court on those dates
Introduction to the Case
The State is opposing the release on bail of 11 Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) members who are facing charges of murder, assault, kidnapping, and torture in connection with the death of a Manenberg man, Wade Price. The accused made their first appearance at the Athlone Magistrates’ Court on Monday, with three of the members appearing in court and the remaining eight scheduled to appear on December 18 and 19 for their respective bail applications. According to the charge sheet, the State alleges that the group unlawfully and intentionally killed Price by hitting him multiple times with objects, which are unknown, including blows to his head and body, and restrained him and smothered and choked him.
The Allegations Against the Accused
The State further alleges that the members kicked Price in the face and hit him multiple times with their hands in his face. It is also alleged that Price was then moved from his home to Manenberg Police Station and was refused the right to leave and return to Helen Court where he resided. The State contends that the group acted together under a Schedule 6 offence, which is a serious crime that carries severe penalties. The accused are facing charges of murder, 4 counts of Assault GBH, 4 counts of kidnapping, and 1 count of torture. The State’s opposition to the release of the accused on bail is based on the seriousness of the charges and the fact that the alleged crimes were committed while the accused were on duty as police officers.
The Investigation and Arrests
The investigation into the death of Wade Price was conducted by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), which found that Price died as a result of unnatural causes. According to Lizzy Suping, communications for IPID, the members were arrested after Price died following an interrogation relating to a shooting near the Athlone Magistrates’ Court, which saw two people dead. Price allegedly complained of ear pain following the interrogation and questioning and collapsed and died. The post-mortem results confirmed that Price’s death was due to unnatural causes, and more details about the findings will become public once the trial commences.
The Bail Application
The matter has been set for a formal bail application on December 18 and 19, with the remaining eight accused scheduled to appear in court on those dates. Eric Ntabazalila, Regional communications for the National Prosecuting Authority, confirmed that the State intends to oppose the release of all 11 accused persons on bail. One of the defence lawyers cited that the accused were police officers dealing daily with intimidation, but this is unlikely to be a sufficient reason for the court to grant bail given the seriousness of the charges. The court will need to carefully consider the evidence and the arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defence before making a decision on the bail application.
The Implications of the Case
The case has significant implications for the community and the police service. The alleged actions of the AGU members, if proven, would be a serious breach of trust and a violation of human rights. The fact that the accused were police officers who were supposed to uphold the law and protect the community makes the allegations even more disturbing. The case highlights the need for accountability and transparency within the police service and the importance of ensuring that those who are responsible for upholding the law are held to the highest standards of conduct. The outcome of the case will be closely watched by the community and will have significant implications for the relationship between the police and the public.