Bulls player held over cop's death

2010-08-27 10:59

Pretoria - A Blue Bulls rugby player was in police custody on Friday following the death of a Tshwane metro policeman in Pretoria, his lawyer said.

"I believe there was an incident where a policeman died, passed away, and I know [he] was involved in the incident. How he was involved I don't know yet, I can't tell you," said attorney Ernst Serfontein.

An advocate was consulting the player at the Sunnyside police station on Friday morning and it was possible he could appear in the Pretoria Magistrate's Court later in the day, or on Monday.

Earlier, the club said it was aware of "the alleged involvement of a player in an incident involving a policeman who died".

"We do not have any factual information at this stage, but have been informed that the policeman passed away," Blue Bulls Rugby said in a statement issued by Ian Schwartz, who is on its media relations team.

Allegedly beaten to death

"We would like to express our sincerest condolences to the relatives of the deceased. We are not in a position to make any further comments in this regard."

A Tshwane metro police officer was allegedly beaten to death in the early hours on Friday, according to paramedics.

Colonel Eugene Opperman said a case of murder had been opened but would give no further details.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha said paramedics found the critically injured police officer lying in the middle of Schoeman Street.

The officer died moments later of extensive injuries.

The Blue Bulls will play the Pumas at Nelspruit's Mbombela stadium on Friday night.

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