Advocate Lennit Max, the Western Cape's MEC for Community Safety, said the behaviour that the police officials displayed was "both cruel and despicable and will never be condoned" while he was in office.

"This is not the behaviour befitting any officer in the police force. Police officers are trained and employed to defend the right of citizens to live," said Max.

According to Thabo Leholo, provincial head of the Independent Complaints Directorate, Western Cape, the eight officers were arrested on Friday after allegedly assaulting Luvuyo Nyanda while arresting him on 28 September. Nyanda died while in police custody.

The eight officers appeared in court on Monday.

"They were charged with murder and the court added charges of abduction, defeating the ends of justice, and the illegal firing of a firearm in a public place," said Leholo.

Leholo did not want to divulge their names.

"They are still awaiting their bail application and there are other investigations pending," he said.

The case has been remanded until Friday for a formal bail application. The officers remain in police custody.

Max said that he would follow the trial of the implicated officers with a hawk's eye and would use all the powers he had to ensure that justice for the victim prevailed.

"Such callous acts threaten to destroy the faith that the public have in the police and bring the good work of fellow police officers that took years to establish to nothing."

Max said he will request the Provincial Commissioner Mzwandile Petros to institute disciplinary action against the officers involved without delay.