Police are investigating a case of attempted murder and assault to cause grievous bodily harm after a 17-year-old boy claimed he was tortured and assaulted by police officers, and beaten with a firearm.
It is alleged the teen had tried to run away from police who began chasing him following a disagreement with his friends on February 23.
The family also claim the police officers rammed him over using a state vehicle in front of his home in Wetton, then fired shots at him and beat him against the head with a firearm.
The family was forced to call an ambulance following the incident, as the teen suffered injuries to his head and ribs.
Crime fighters and whistle-blowers said it took the family three attempts to open the case until it was finally registered.
They said they have yet to hear from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid)
Queries to Ipid from the Cape Argus went unanswered on Monday.
Shocking images of the boy who was bleeding from his head were shared with the newspaper along with the police and medical report known as the J88, which showed he had sustained injuries due to an assault.
A voice-note in which the teen explained what allegedly took place was shared with the Cape Argus.
“I was walking on the opposite side of the road and as I tried to walk over the road, they (police officers) knocked me in front of the gate.
“So, I jumped up and I ran.
“They fired two shots at me.
“I was running as they chased me with a car.
“The one police officer got me and handcuffed me and began beating me with the gun and they forced me into the police van.”
The teen’s mother who is being treated medically for a personal matter, was unable to speak about the incident yesterday.
Police spokesperson, Anelisiwe Manyana said: “We can confirm that Lansdowne SAPS registered a case of attempted murder and assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm following an incident on February 23, 2025, at around 10pm in Wetton Road.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation.”
Whistle-blower, Zona Morton, who assisted the family, said their pleas had fallen on deaf ears.
“I assisted the mother of the minor boychild to open a case after Lansdowne SAPS declined thrice to open a case.
"Provincial management should focus on training station commanders on the Ipid mandate so we can get swifter justice for victims of police brutality.
“I am of the opinion that members of Lansdowne SAPS attempted to cover up this assault on this minor.
“A strong message must be sent that defeating the ends of justice is a serious offence and the implicated member must be dealt with speedily.
"In order to build a trust relationship between community and police an urgent commission should be appointed to investigate the shocking rise in cases against police officers," Morton said.
Nicholas Gotsell, MP and Select Committee for Security and Justice member said he was also made aware of the incident.
“Incidents of police abusing power seem to be becoming more frequent and must be dealt with swiftly by Ipid.
“Such incidents affect the trust relationship between the SAPS and the community - a relationship which is extremely important in the fight against crime."
Cape Argus