Bellville Police Raid Under IPID Investigation After Nigerian Man Dies And Resident Is Shot

A police operation at a Bellville apartment complex has come under investigation after a Nigerian national died and another resident was injured during a confrontation between police officers and foreign nationals.

The incident unfolded on Thursday at Parksig Villas, where videos shared on social media showed a tense standoff between residents and members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). Footage also captured the moment a resident sustained an injury to his lower lip after a shot was fired.

Police Raid At Bellville Apartment Complex Sparks Serious Allegations

Residents claim police frequently visit the complex to conduct searches linked to suspected drug activity. One resident, who asked not to be identified, alleged that officers often damage property during these operations.

"Police come on a regular basis to this complex and break people’s things, break down doors, attack the residents, then leave.

"On Thursday morning, they came doing what they usually do and claimed they were looking for drugs.

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"According to my understanding, they started beating the deceased outside and took him to his place, where they searched his place. They placed a plastic bag over his head and sprayed him with pepper spray. Apparently he is asthmatic and he unfortunately died."

According to residents, tensions escalated after news spread that the man had died. A confrontation then broke out as officers attempted to leave the scene.

Bellville Shooting Victim Claims Police Threatened Him With Deportation

The wife of the resident who was shot through the mouth alleged that police had discouraged her husband from opening a criminal case. She claimed officers warned him he could face deportation because of expired immigration documents.

"My husband’s health after everything seems better than Thursday, but the police are saying that if he opens a case they are going to arrest him for expired papers and deport him.

"They threw tear gas, and everyone moved, but that police officer still shot him. He was not a threat to them, nor was there a reason to shoot. That is an attempted murder.

"The whole uproar started when they heard their brother was tortured to death by a police officer. That is when my man tried to block them with the rubbish bins so that they don’t get away.

"This happens regularly, then nothing happens."

IPID Investigates Bellville Police Operation Following Death

Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk confirmed that the incident has been referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).

IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping said investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"It is alleged that the police received a tip-off on a person who was allegedly in possession of drugs, and went to search his property. They allegedly found him with drugs.

"The suspect allegedly collapsed and died while the police were on his property. Some of the residents allegedly became unruly, and the police allegedly used rubber bullets to manage the situation. One of the residents was allegedly injured by a rubber bullet.

"The incident was reported to Ipid for investigation and the post-mortem will be conducted to determine the deceased's cause of death."

The outcome of the post-mortem examination is expected to play a key role in determining the circumstances surrounding the man's death. IPID's investigation remains ongoing.