At least 14 police officers were being questioned in connection with the death of a man during service delivery protests in Meqheleng, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Saturday.
Police National Commissioner said the police would be probing the incident, which would result in them taking “necessary action, including suspension”.
Police allegedly fired rubber bullets at Andries Tatane (33) and beat him with batons on Wednesday.
He was allegedly attacked by at least six policemen “simultaneously”, according to media reports. He was seen holding his hand against his chest after the assault and collapsed about 20 minutes later. He died before an ambulance arrived.
His death has been widely condemned by political parties, trade unions and civil society.
Police reinforcements were sent to the Meqheleng township after riots erupted.
Two municipal buildings on different streets were set alight at about 12.45pm and firefighters managed to put them out by late afternoon.
Forty-five people arrested for public violence on Wednesday appeared in the Ficksburg Magistrate’s Court, where about 200 people had converged.
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Human Rights Commission chairperson advocate Lawrence Mushwana said it was concerned about what appeared to be a trend of police violating the rights of people exercising their constitutional rights.
He said there had been similar reports of police brutality during recent service delivery protests in Ermelo, Mpumalanga.
The Independent Complaints Directorate had sent a team of investigators to Ficksburg.
“They will investigate and take statements from witnesses and police … then an identity parade will be carried out,” ICD spokesperson Moses Dlamini said.
Firearms would be sent for ballistic testing. A report would be compiled and sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for a decision on whether to prosecute.
Earlier, the African National Congress said it wanted Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to probe the matter and institute an immediate commission of inquiry. The party also expressed concern about the airing of the “shocking and disturbing images” of the killing on SABC television news.
The party called on the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa to investigate whether the broadcaster had overstepped its mandate. – Sapa