SAHRC offers legal assistance to family of slain teen Nathaniel Julies
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has offered legal assistance to the family of the slain Eldorado Park teen Nathaniel Julies.
The commission has joined South Africans who have raised concern over the death of the 16-year old boy, allegedly at the hands of police.
The teen was allegedly shot and killed by police on Wednesday night but the exact circumstances of the shooting remain unclear.
Since then, violent clashes have erupted in Eldorado Park, south of Johannesburg, between community members and police.
The commission’s provincial manager Buang Jones says the family is still considering the offer.
“The family is considering this offer; they have not yet made a decision. They will revert back to us in due course.”
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The teenager with special needs was shot on Wednesday night and died at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. The community allege Julius was shot by police members. It caused anger, with residents taking to the streets on Thursday in their demand for action against police.
Cops under attack in Eldorado Park JHB. pic.twitter.com/JxxCLjw6Us
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 27, 2020
Tensions ran high on Thursday when rubber bullets were fired to disperse the angry community.
Several protesters were arrested during the clash.
“At the moment, the commission is continuing to monitor the situation on the ground. Yesterday we were able to facilitate the release of some of the protesters,” Jones adds.
“We were also able to quell the protests and facilitate a constructive engagement between the police and the community.”
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) returned to the scene on Friday for further investigations.
“There are concerns concerning the contamination of the crime scene and the manner in which the police have conducted themselves, but all of these concerns are receiving attention. IPID is already investigating this matter,” Jones says.
He says the family is torn apart by the brutal murder.
“They are so devasted and I hope in due course they will find comfort that so many South Africans have expressed their condolences and their outrage to the unfortunate death of Nathaniel.”
President Cyril Rmaaphosa is among officials that have condemned the incident.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura has also sent his condolences to the family.
Listen to Jones below:
