Drug suspect dies during raid

MORE than a hundred people gathered outside a residence in Homelite, Kimberley, this week after a dramatic police raid ended in the sudden death of 44-year-old Chad Jacobs - a suspected drug dealer who was well known in the community.

- DANIE VAN DER LITH

The South African Police Service (SAPS) descended on the property just after midday on May 26, drawing a large crowd and a significant police presence to the area. Eyewitnesses described a tense and emotional scene that unfolded both inside and outside the house.

In an exclusive interview with the DFA, a female eyewitness who was inside the home during the raid, claimed that the police operation was aggressive and left many in shock.

“The police arrived at the house and asked Chad to open the gate. Chad told them, ‘If you want to come in, you can come in on your own.’ Then they broke open the gate and threw a stun grenade into the yard where the dogs were,” she recounted.

“They entered the house, grabbed Chad, and started beating him in the face and chest, asking why he didn’t open the gate - he could see them on the cameras.”