Nine Pretoria policemen have been arrested in connection with the death of an Atteridgeville teenager who they allegedly assaulted.

The 19-year-old was taken in for questioning on Monday night after his father accused him of housebreaking and theft.

"When they found him they took him to the police station to question him and in the process they allegedly assaulted him," said the police?s Noxolo Kweza.

The boy was allegedly hit with a hosepipe during questioning.

He was eventually released on Tuesday.

His father took him home where the teen later died.

Gauteng police say they are shocked by the claims and will not allow officers to become a law unto themselves.