State opposes bail for AGU members charged with murder and torture
Wade Price sustained blows to his head and body and restrained him and the AGU members allegedly smothered him.
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The State is opposing the release out on bail of the 11 Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) members arrested and charged with the kidnapping, torture and murder of a Manenberg man including the assault of his friends whom they were apparently interrogating.
Three of the AGU members made an appearance at the Athlone Magistrates' Court on Monday, with the remaining eight scheduled to be in the dock between December 18 and December 19 for their respective bail applications.
According to their official charge sheet, the state is set to prove that the group unlawfully and intentionally killed the victim, Wade Price, by hitting him multiple times with objects, which are unknown.
This includes blows to his head and body and restrained him and smothered and choked him.
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 further 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.
Further to the court papers, the state indicated it would be opposing the release out on bail of the members, while one of the defence lawyers cited that the accused were police officers dealing daily with intimidation.
The members are facing charges of murder, 4 counts of Assault GBH, 4 counts of kidnapping and 1 count of torture.
Eric Ntabazalila Regional communications for the National Prosecuting Authority added: "The state indicated that it still intends to oppose the release of all 11 accused persons on bail.
"The matter has been set for the formal bail application on December 18 and 19."
Earlier Lizzy Suping, communications for IPID said the members were arrested after a man identified as Wade 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. Price's post mortem, Suping said, came back as unnatural causes. She said more details about their findings would become public once the trial commences.
The group made their first appearance on Friday, December 12, following their arrest last Thursday.
Suping said: "It is alleged that the deceased died during the interrogation and questioning of possible suspects, as part of an enquiry into the murder that occurred near the Athlone Magistrate Court last week. Police alleged that the deceased complained of ear pain and collapsed.
"IPID's investigation determined that the deceased's cause of death was as a result of unnatural causes. More information will be revealed during the trial."
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