An altercation between Western Cape police and angry residents in Elsies River resulted in the death of 16-year-old Althea Adams on Sunday night.
The violent clash between the SAPS officers and community members erupted after police tried to leave with an arrested suspect.
Also read: Traffic officers seize 50 000 mandrax tablets worth R3m
According to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), police uncovered drugs and ammunition after searching a premises in The Range at around 6pm on Sunday.
The suspect was being arrested for the possession of approximately 50 rounds of ammunition and nearly 500 mandrax tablets, reported News24, when community members began to lash out.
‘About 150 community members allegedly threw stones, bricks and bottles at the police when they tried to get out with the suspect,’ said IPID spokesperson Phaladi Shuping.
According to Elsies River Community Policing Forum’s Imraahn Mukaddam, the perpetrator himself was not home but an elderly lady or older lady that is related to the suspect was being arrested at the time of the clash – and that’s what the community had an issue with, reported EWN.
Shuping added that police ‘threw a stun grenade’ and that ‘rubber bullets were allegedly fired by the police’ in a bid to disperse the angry crowd.
‘At about 6:41pm, the police were informed that four civilians were admitted at a hospital with gunshot wounds,’ said Shuping. ‘Later, at around 8:22pm, it was reported that one person, aged 16, had passed away,’ he said.
Adams’ sister, Ushan Adams, told News24 that Althea was injured during the clash, fled to her aunt’s house and was found dead around an hour after the incident.
An investigation by IPID is currently underway.
Also read:
Gang bids farewell with 549 gunshots at fallen member’s funeral
Picture: kat wilcox / Pexels