THIS FAMILY said a relative was beaten and tortured by cops for parking on the pavement.
On Sunday Phikolomzi Tatsi (48) and five relatives went to visit his friend.
His sister Ntombizine Tsati (37) said a relative was driving.
“They parked on the pavement just a few houses away,” she said.
She said officers from Katlehong North in Ekurhuleni then approached them.
“They asked if the driver was drunk and he admitted he was, but assured them he had reached his destination.
“They then asked for his driver’s licence and he gave it to them, but they wanted a bribe.”
Ntombizine said the officers took Phikalomzi and two relatives to the cop shop.
Another family member followed to see if they would get bail.
“It was a nightmare when they got there.
“The three of them were put in a dark room and handcuffed, beaten and had cold water poured on them,” said the relative.
She said the officers took the two family members to the hospital, but Phikalomzi was left in the van.
“We went to look for them at the police station the following day, but we found that Phikalomzi had died. No one at the police station informed us of this,” she said.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesman Moses Dlamini said: “One case of murder and two of assault were opened. No arrests were made.
“Three men were allegedly assaulted in the back of the police station by at least five officers.”