8 police officers have been charged with the Murder of taxi driver dragged to his death

                               
                                                                 Relatives gathered today outside the home of Mr Macia following his death

Eight police officers accused of handcuffing taxi driver Mido Macia to their patrol car and dragging him along the street until he died have been arrested on murder charges.

                              

                                        Angry protesters gather outside the Daveyton Police station in Daveyton, South Africa

The country's police chief today said she shared 'the extreme shock and outrage' over the video footage, as she announced the officers involved had been suspended and the local police commander removed from his post.

View more pictures after the cut.

General Riah Phiyega said she fully supports the investigation by the police watchdog agency and added the rights of Mr Macia were 'violated in the most extreme form'.

Investigators are said to have been told that the taxi driver assaulted one of the police officers and took his gun. 

But South Africa's Daily Sun today revealed new video footage which appears to contradict officers' version of events.

It appears to show the cab driver arguing with police officers with his hands by his side, before he is manhandled to the ground by up to five men in uniform.

The scandal is only the latest to undermine confidence in South Africa's police, heaping yet more shame on a force that opened fire on striking workers at the Marikana platinum mine in August last year, killing 34 people.

Killed: Mido Macia, pictured with his sister Melida, was  dragged to his death.