Meghan Cremer murder accused says police beat a confession out of him

Jeremy Sias, the man accused of murdering Meghan Cremer, claimed he was repeatedly beaten by police officers in a cell until he eventually confessed to the crime. 

According to the Cape Argus Sias spoke of being brutally beaten and harassed in his affidavit handed in during his bail application in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday 18 December 2019. 

Meghan Cremer suspect allegedly beaten by cops 

Jeremy Sias, in his affidavit, said: 

“I was arrested on the night of August 5, 2019, at my home in Siqalo squatter camp. I was informed that I was being arrested in connection with a stolen motor vehicle. I was systematically interrogated and beaten up at 30- to 45-minute intervals by members of the SAPS from August 5 up until the evening of August 7,” said Sias. 

“I denied any knowledge of this matter for a period of roughly three days from my time of the arrest until August 7, when the assaults had reached the point that I could no longer handle it, after which the police involuntarily obtained a statement from me,” he added.  

Sias, who worked at the Vaderlandsche Rietvlei stables, was charged with Cremer’s murder as well as robbery with aggravating circumstances.

When asked about the alleged police brutality, SAPS, FC van Wyk said: “Kindly be advised that this case is currently in court and this office cannot elaborate further on this matter.”

Three suspects charged

As earlier reported on by TheSouthAfrican.com, three men, Charles Daniels, Shiraaz Jaftha and Jeremy Sias were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Cremer and appeared at the Athlone Magistrate’s Court, on Wednesday 16 October 2019.

The prosecutor said that they would spend their Christmas and New Year in jail. The suspects next court appearance will be on 27 January 2020.  

Sias faces a charge of murder, while Jaftha and Daniels face a charge of theft of a motor vehicle. 

Jeremy Sias was the only suspect charged with Cremer’s murder and faces further charges of kidnapping, armed robbery, theft of a motor vehicle, and defeating the ends of justice.

Jaftha, withdrew his application for bail at Athlone Magistrate’s Court, on 11 September 2019. Both Daniels and Jaftha face charges of theft of a motor vehicle and defeating the ends of justice.

Suspects’ prior convictions 

The three suspects were arrested in August 2019 – after being found in possession of Cremer’s stolen car- they have since remained in police custody.

The suspects have prior convictions and pending cases; Jaftha has a pending murder case and drug conviction. Sias has a car theft case and has been previously convicted of an assault charge. Daniels has a pending theft case including a drug conviction.

Meghan Cremer’s body found on Phillipi farm

Cremer went missing on 3 August, at 18:00, when she left Rietvlei, her home where she stayed with a friend. The circumstances of her disappearance were shaky, but a private investigator partnered with SAPS for the search.

A day before Women’s Day, 8 August 2019, Cape Town police confirmed that the missing woman, Meghan Cremer, had been found dead on a Phillipi farm in the early hours of the morning.

“Our investigation and search operation led us to a sand mine on a Philippi farm this morning at around 01:00 where the body of the missing person was found,” said SAPS. 

Emily van Wyk told the court it was the first time that they had heard about the information revealed in court and would need some time to verify it.

The State will deliver arguments on why the three accused should not be released on bail.