The death of a Kalksteenfontein man, allegedly at the hands of the Anti-Gang Unit (AGU), is believed to have sparked community outrage at the weekend, with the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court set on fire on Saturday evening.

The deceased man, Antonio Vosloo, who was out on parole, had allegedly been assaulted when police carried out a raid at the home where a firearm was allegedly kept.

Vosloo’s distraught mother, Christine Vosloo, said she had returned from the shop when the incident occurred at their home.

“My son was playing cards when he was arrested. They hit him (in front of the house) and they put him in a white vehicle. They took him out again and took him to the back (of the property).

I asked them what he had done and they said they can’t tell me anything.

I asked them if I can show them his parole papers...he was permitted free hours as it stipulated on his papers and that is why he was here. He was here on his permitted time. I saw how they hit him when they came to arrest him,” said Vosloo.

According to Vosloo, she was not allowed to enter the property while police were at the scene and numerous requests to see her son who had been taken back inside the home were refused.

“When the (forensics) came to remove his body, I asked again to see who it is, they opened the body and I saw it was my son and then I collapsed,” said Vosloo.

Police confirmed an inquest docket has been opened and post-mortem results are awaited for the cause of death of Vosloo who reportedly collapsed and died in Hydrangea Street on Saturday.

Subcouncil chairperson, Angus McKenzie said he was “horrified” by the actions of the community who had “taken it upon themselves to destroy the very building that is there to protect them”.

“We know that a raid took place at a known gangster’s house. We can’t confirm what exactly happened but a man died at the scene and that then led to this violent anarchy that happened later the evening. There is no justification for that,” said Mckenzie.

Police spokesperson Frederick van Wyk confirmed AGU members had gone to the address following up on information about a firearm being stored at the premises.

Van Wyk said Vosloo was interviewed by AGU members when he complained of chest pains and suddenly collapsed.

“Ambulance services were called to the scene and he was declared deceased by medical personnel. A post-mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” said Van Wyk.

Later the same evening at about 9pm an arson case was opened for investigation after the Bishop Lavis Magistrate’s Court was set alight.

“The two security guards on duty informed them that an angry crowd broke down the front gate. They entered the premises and damaged the security gate as well as a few windows in front of the court building. They then proceeded to the front entrance whereby they set some tyres and chairs alight that caused the front building to burn.

“The two security guards fled and hid themselves, and contacted police,” said Van Wyk.

While no arrests have been made yet, Van Wyk confirmed cases of public violence and attack on police were registered for investigation.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) confirmed the matter was reported to the directorate and is under investigation.

Anyone with information on the incident can anonymously contact Crime Stop on 0860010111, or SMS Crime Line on 32211.

Cape Times