Bees Roux Beats Policeman to Death

Bees Roux Blue Bulls Rugby Player

Blue Bulls rugby player arrested after policeman's death in South Africa


PRETORIA, South Africa — South African rugby prop Bees Roux has been involved in an incident that left a police officer dead, his Blue Bulls team said Friday. Roux's lawyer told The Associated Press the 28-year-old Roux was in custody.

The Blue Bulls, 2010 Super 14 champions, said they had no more information about the events involving Roux.

"It has come to the Blue Bulls' attention that Bees Roux has allegedly been involved in an incident involving a metro policeman last night in Pretoria," the Blue Bulls said in a statement. "We do not have any factual information at this stage, but have been informed that the policeman passed away. We are not in a position to make any further comments in this regard."

Police spokesman Lt. Col. Eugene Opperman told the AP that police pulled over a vehicle in Pretoria early Friday morning. "In the altercation that followed a policeman was severely beaten and has died," Opperman said.

Opperman said a male suspect has been arrested and will appear in court on Monday and will be charged with murder. Opperman would not give the suspect's name.

Lawyer Ernst Serfontein said Roux was in custody in Pretoria. Serfontein said he has yet to consult with Roux, and was seeking a bail hearing. He declined to give any more details.

"It obviously came as a huge shock to us. We are not allowed to talk about it because anything we say can affect the case," Blue Bulls spokesman Ian Schwartz said. "We need to leave it now to the lawyers and the police."

Roux was on the bench for the Bulls in their Super 14 final victory over the Stormers in May. He has also played for the Blue Bulls in this season's Currie Cup — South Africa's domestic rugby competition — and last appeared in a game against Griquas on Aug. 20.

He had not been included in the Blue Bulls team for Friday's Currie Cup game against the Pumas in the northern city of Nelspruit.