Western Cape police say a viral video allegedly showing officers assaulting a man is not connected to the recent death of a Nigerian national in Bellville.
The footage shows police appearing to attack a man inside a home and repeatedly placing a blue plastic bag over his face.
Social media posts claimed the footage showed the incident at the Parksig apartment complex.
However, provincial police spokesperson Colonel Andrè Traut said the video came from a separate incident earlier in 2026.
“The video is an old video from earlier this year,” Traut told Daily Voice.
He said police were investigating where the footage came from.
Man dies during Parksig operation
A 42-year-old man died during a police operation at Parksig Villas in Bellville on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
Police said members of the Public Order Police Lockdown III Operation acted on information about an alleged unlicensed firearm, ammunition and drugs at the property.
According to Traut, officers recovered an unlicensed firearm with ammunition, 258 mandrax tablets and suspected crystal methamphetamine.
Police said the man became unwell and collapsed while officers were placing him under arrest.
Emergency medical services were called, but paramedics were unable to revive him.
He was declared dead at the scene.
Residents allege police assault
A Parksig resident alleged that officers placed a plastic bag over the man’s head and sprayed him with pepper spray.
The allegation has not been proven, and police have not confirmed that version of events.
Another person was reportedly shot through the lip during the operation.
Police said an independent investigation had been launched into the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
Ipid opens investigation
The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has also opened an investigation.
Ipid spokesperson Phaladi Shuping confirmed that the incident had been reported to the police watchdog.
“The post-mortem will be conducted to determine the deceased’s cause of death,” Shuping said.
The outcome of the post-mortem will form a key part of the investigation.
Police are separately investigating the viral video and the conduct of the officers seen in it.
Authorities have stressed that the footage should not be presented as evidence from the Parksig incident while both matters remain under investigation.