After Anti-Gang Unit Raid Leaves Young Men Injured
CCN Reporting
Wesbank:- On Wednesday evening, residents of Wesbank were left shocked and angry after members of the Western Cape Anti-Gang Unit reportedly stormed into the community in a forceful operation that ended with alleged assaults on two young men, without any formal charges or warrants.
The incident began around 7pm near Wesbank Eerste Laerskool when heavily armed, masked officers arrived in vehicles, with no visible name tags, searching for 20-year-old Flippie Andrews in connection to a firearm. Andrews was not home when the officers first entered but arrived shortly after a neighbor alerted him.
According to Andrews, despite repeatedly denying any knowledge of a firearm, the officers’ aggression escalated. He was handcuffed and taken to another house within Wesbank where he alleges the assault took place. “They beat me with a plank and poured water over a cloth placed on my face,” Andrews said. He was later released without being charged or taken to a police station.
Another victim, 24-year-old Fernando Dirks, shared a similar ordeal. He claims police assaulted him and nearly suffocated him with a plastic bag during questioning about a firearm. Like Andrews, Dirks was released without charge or police station processing. Both men sustained injuries to their faces, arms, shoulders, and backs.
Local residents expressed outrage over the incident. Mercia Koopman said, “If police are doing their job properly, they must treat us with respect. Why weren’t the young men taken to the station if there was cause? It seems the officers knew they were acting wrongly.” Koopman also described how children who used to gather near her home now run away at the sight of police, marking a shift in community relations.
Elaine Genrivier recounted the frightening experience inside her home. “I was about to open the gate and door when the officers were already inside. They kicked down the bottom door and shoved me aside. When I asked for a warrant, they swore at me and said they didn’t need one. They searched for a firearm, but only I, my daughters, my grandchild and my husband live here,” she said.
The Western Cape Police have not yet responded to requests for comment. This report will be updated when their response is received.
Picture – Social Media Group
