Murder-accused AGU cops tell court they fear going to prison

Eleven Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) accused of murdering an alleged gangster claim that the State is “feeding them to the wolves” after they received threats from inmates in Pollsmoor.

The cops, who may not be identified as per court ruling, returned to the Athlone Magistrate's Court on Thursday, which saw the courtroom packed with supporters for the police members and the deceased.

They stand accused of kidnapping, torturing and killing alleged Clever Kidz gangster Wade Price from Manenberg on December 4  following an interrogation of a shooting incident that occurred outside the same court the previous day.

The State said it was adding a fifth charge of attempting to defeat the administration of justice.

The investigating officer in the matter said in his affidavit that the accused knew that Price and his friends were affiliated with the CKs gang and decided to take them into a rival gang area where they allegedly “showed off” the deceased and his friends being captured or in their “custody” in the “Hard Livings” territory. 

The four were then taken to Manenberg SAPS where CCTV footage showed them entering the building with the accused, which is consistent with what the friends of Price said in their statements.

Three were later released from the station, however Price was taken to a property in Vygekraal Road where the accused allegedly unlawfully and intentionally killed him by hitting him multiple times with unknown objects on his head and body, torturing the deceased and smothered/choked him to death.

All accused are denying the allegations against them.

The AGU accused said in their bail applications that they were shocked to hear that the State is opposing their release on bail after The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) said they could be released on bail of R1 000.

They further denied the allegations against them and vehemently stated that should they remain in custody they would be vulnerable due to arrests they of made of inmates who are also in custody.

One of the accused said in the holding cells, he and the other accused were recognised by inmates who said: “ons wag vir jou by Pollsmoor.”(inmates and prison gang members are waiting for you)

Another accused said that they were scheduled to get married on December 21, however given that the case is underway they are not sure if he is going to be behind bars or at the altar.

They further dropped bombshell against the State stating they are feeding the accused to the wolves and are being guarded like they are the “most wanted people” yet they rid the streets of crime and work hand in hand with the State.

The court previously heard that according to witnesses, Price entered the property alive with the members, but moments later emergency services and other police officials arrived and that was when his body was removed from the property.

However, one of the accused said in their application that they were the ones to call emergency services before Price died.

The accused said that should they be released on bail that they will not flee or evade their trial and would not interfere with witnesses, however the State said they would argue that they know the witnesses as they interviewed them the day Price died.

The case has been postponed to December 19 for arguments.

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