A grieving family from Croftdene, south of Durban, has accused plainclothes police officers, believed to be from the Chatsworth SAPS drug unit, of conducting an unlawful search at their home just over two weeks after the murder of their son.
Sharon Krishna, 52, and her husband, Rakesh, 57, allege that officers entered their home without a search warrant and manhandled and threatened family members while searching for drugs. The family claims the officers left without finding any drugs.
According to the family, the incident occurred on what would have been their eldest son Ethan Cole Krishna’s birthday, while friends had gathered at the house to support his younger brother, Jamin.
Ethan’s body was discovered along Nerissa Road in Bluff at about 9am on September 30 by a scrap metal collector. He had reportedly last communicated with friends at around 1am that morning.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation.
Sharon described the alleged police visit as deeply distressing, saying the family was still mourning Ethan when the officers arrived.
She also questioned why police were seeking information about suspected drug dealers and alleged that officers challenged her to identify individuals involved in drug dealing after she criticised their actions.
Sharon says the encounter has left the family fearful of further confrontations, particularly after the officers allegedly threatened to return.
The family is also concerned about the impact of the incident on Jamin, who they fear could be viewed as a suspect.
Sharon said she wanted the incident formally documented should the family experience any further problems.
Responding to the allegations, Chatsworth SAPS station commander Brigadier Ruth De Villiers said the police took allegations of unprofessional conduct seriously and expected officers to maintain high standards of service.
De Villiers urged the family to submit a formal complaint to the station commander, providing details such as the date and time of the incident so that the allegations could be investigated.
She added that police complaints were not investigated through the media and encouraged anyone dissatisfied with police conduct to approach the station commander or lodge a complaint with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
De Villiers also said drug investigations required urgent action and that police had a responsibility to enforce the law, even in difficult circumstances.
The family’s allegations have not been independently verified, and no findings from a formal investigation into the alleged police conduct have been provided.
For the Krishnas, the incident has added to an already painful period as they continue to mourn Ethan and seek answers about his death.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation into Ethan’s murder is urged to contact Brighton Beach SAPS on 031 451 8072 or 031 451 8060. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Based on reporting by The Rising Sun Newspaper