Disgruntled Elsies River residents are calling for police to be held accountable, and for the release of a resident arrested – after clashes between the community and police over the weekend.

These were among their demands during protest action along Valhalla and Owen Drive on Monday.

The protest stems from an incident in the community on Sunday. Police were called to an area known as “The Range” to conduct a search of a home there. During that search, police say drugs and ammunition was found. Western Cape police spokesperson, Lt Col Malcolm Pojie, says the individual in the house was subsequently arrested.

“On Sunday evening a contingent deployed in Elsies River apprehended a [50-year-old] suspect and confiscated 50 9mm rounds of ammunition and over 400 mandrax tablets. In that operation the arresting officials came under attack from community members and shots were fired.”

A clash between police and residents ensued. It led to several people being injured, and the death of a 16-year-old girl.

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) probe

The matter is now under investigation by the police watchdog, IPID. According to the Community Policing Forum’s Imraahn Mukkadam, IPID will be looking into the type of ammunition used by police and who is responsible for the injuries and death in the incident.

“The most important information conveyed to the protesters was that police are not investigating the matter, but that it’s now being dealt with by IPID.”

Mukkadam further noted that it’s been contact with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to monitor IPID’s investigation.

“[The SAHRC] has put monitors on a watching brief to be present when the autopsy on the deceased will be held. The Human Right’s Commission has also taken a position that there may be a situation where the police have overstepped the lawful boundaries of conduct.”

Suspect arrested

Mukkadam says residents believe the suspect that was arrested was not the person police are looking for, and that the drugs and ammunition found in her home was placed there without her knowledge. This is said to be the reason why the protesters are calling for the suspects release.