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 Footage of the 33-year-old married father of one collapsing in front of the protesters and dying about 20 minutes later has been described as one of the worst known scenes of police brutality.  

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At least three buildings were burnt down while residents blockaded the streets after an unarmed man, Andries Tatane, was allegedly beaten and shot to death by a group of police officers.

Tatane's vicious assault by at least six policemen has shocked the nation and angered the community after it was shown in SABC's prime-time news bulletin.

By late last night police and thousands of residents from Meqheleng and surrounding townships were locked in a tense stand-off. Entry to the area was restricted as violent outbreaks increased, with residents throwing objects, including petrol bombs at the police.

What was initially meant to be a peaceful demonstration against a lack of service delivery instantly turned violent after Tatane was repeatedly attacked with batons, kicked and shot twice.

Footage of the 33-year-old married father of one collapsing in front of the protesters and dying about 20 minutes later has been described as one of the worst known scenes of police brutality. Yesterday it incited renewed anger with hundreds of protesters setting alight an office in the Home Affairs building and the town's public works offices at midday.

Several schools were forced to close as learners - some of whom Tatane tutored in maths, science and Afrikaans - joined in the protest.

Police had their hands full trying to contain violence and restore calm to the area.

Protest march convener and chairperson of the Meqheleng Concerned Citizens group Sam Motseare said: "The community is very angry as a result of what unfolded yesterday."

Motseare described the attack on Tatane as "police brutality typical of the apartheid system".

Tatane's family is battling to come to terms with his death and have demanded answers from police.

In an emotional scene, his family yesterday afternoon visited the spot where he was killed.

A contingency from the Independent Complaints Directorate was despatched to investigate the matter and has been mandated to speedily finalise it.

ICD spokesperson Moses Dlamini said they had sent a bigger team to deal with the investigation and that a postmortem would be conducted today.

None of the police officers involved in the attack have been suspended yet.

National police commissioner General Bheki Cele's office refused to comment.

Human Rights Commission chairperson Advocate Lawrence Mushwana called for tough action against the police officers involved in Tatane's murder.

• Also read: 'It is obvious that the police went overboard'

• Also see: the footage (in pictures) that was shown in SABC's prime-time news bulletin

Comments

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Thu May 23 17:31:29 SAST 2013 ::

Apr 15, 2011

Buka

He told them to shot to kill.
Now his gangsters are getting out control.
bloody Agents
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Apr 15, 2011

ZA2011

Bad service delivery .. yes ..you ask for better service delivery police kill you..wow this time of the year @2011 its happening in South Africa.. we fought for freedom which include better service is this freedom I do undestand our police they have so much to do and i respect them for putting themself on the line to protect us. But please they need to retrain so they can be better on handling situation like this..the guy didnt have to die they could just put him in the truck not killing him.
RIP BRO..rest in peace..you will remember forever,...
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Apr 15, 2011

McLoving

Those policemen involved must be charged with first degree murder.

There is enough evidence to convict them.

Please they must be convicted right away.We don't want to hear excuses that there are no witnesses when there is enough evidence.
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Apr 15, 2011

Memme

Things are seriously getting out of hands now.
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Apr 15, 2011

Buka

This is a straight to jail conviction.
there is video footage , whats else needs to be investigated
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Apr 15, 2011

Mabenito

South Africa is caught in a loop of events. Whether 1976 or 2011, gwa tshwana... things might not taste or look the same but it's all from the same basket. For a man who's colour blind he might think he's reliving the apartheid years again. Protest has turned into our culture and police have maintained their brutality.
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Apr 15, 2011

McLoving

ANC government's failure to keep it's promises.This would not be happening .


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Apr 15, 2011

Arewanga

How can you shoot at someone who is not armed. I actually think this ANC government are playing games with this democracy, now is shoot to kill. how can u shoot at somebody who is not a threat to u? they must just deliver the services to people and stop stealing goverment money and threaten them by death when they protest. A thi u funi hoyu muvhuso wa ANC, wo dala maguluva na vha vhulayi.
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Apr 15, 2011

TRYAGAIN

my advise to all police offficers. to secure your job please stay away. o se wa nyaka goba HERO.Be a fool, you will get paid at the end of the month.
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Apr 15, 2011

ibeliv

WELL DONE SOWETAN AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!! WE GOT DE STORY
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