Five police officers accused of assaulting a Vredenburg man who later died, appeared in the dock of the local magistrate's court on a murder charge on Thursday.
The case against Alvin Koopman, Franklin van Rooyen, Mzamo Mbovane, Guilliam van Zyl and Ronaldo Joubert was postponed to 3 December for a bail application, confirmed National Prosecuting Authority provincial spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila.
Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson Ndileka Cola said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday following the death of Jason Heyns last month.
"It is alleged that on 23 October, the police officers as they were arresting the deceased... assaulted and took him to hospital for medical attention," she said.
"The deceased was immediately transferred by the Vredenburg Hospital to Groote Schuur Hospital due to the severity of his injuries. Seven days later, he died in hospital."
Cola said police failed to report the incident as required. IPID became aware of the allegations when Heyns' family made the case with the directorate on 3 November.
"IPID conducted an in-depth investigation into this incident which led to the identification and arrest of the five members."
All five were back in custody following their appearance, she said.