Hands off our officers

Michael Sun, MMC for Public Safety urged the Joburg City Council to review its safety measures in some areas of the city

This after an official of the Disaster Management Unit was attacked by a mob in the evening of 1 December while responding to a call about a structural collapse in Ward 107 in Alex.

Read: Alex police urge community to not take law into their own hands

In a statement, Sun said the official was rushing to the incident when his vehicle was shot at by a mob for no apparent reason, and a bullet struck the right side of the vehicle missing him by inches. “The senseless and criminal attack on our public safety officers is becoming prevalent and we will not tolerate it.

“The selfish and cowardly criminals have attacked firefighters, paramedics and are now attacking disaster management officials to intimidate them so that they can conduct their criminal activities undisturbed. This is not only an attack on the disaster management official but also on the community. “I urge the residents to help us identify the culprits and not to harbour criminals to their own detriment.”

Read: Joburg Emergency Management Services partner with Alex residents to prevent shack fires

The statement further said the unit was inundated with calls for assistance from residents of homes which had burnt down or were flooded by flash floods. They responded to 18 such incidents in November alone and provided the victims with relief through food parcels, blankets and clothes.

“With December a very dangerous period, especially for our Emergency Management, Disaster Management and JMPD officers, we should review our safety measures [for] criminality and other ills likely to increase due to increased alcohol consumption.”

The statement urged officers to be vigilant and to work together at all times to rid communities of evil characters and, for residents to safeguard officers responding to emergency calls.

Details: luyandalo@joburg.org.za 061 496 0536.