Three Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officers were attacked and injured while carrying out a by-law enforcement operation in Winterveldt yesterday, prompting the arrest of several suspects.

Pretoria Rekord reports that, according to a statement, the incident occurred when TMPD officers from Region 1 Sector 1 in Mabopane were conducting by-law enforcement operations in the area, focusing on business compliance.

Resistance at shop leads to violence

“The officers visited a Pakistan national shop to enforce by-laws, where they encountered resistance from the shop owner and another male who closed and locked themselves inside the shop. The City of Tshwane Emergency Service Department were called in to assist in opening the shop for inspection.”

During the inspection, it was discovered that the shop owner was selling alcohol and running an illegal gambling business without the required licences.

“As a result, the alcohol was confiscated and the shop was shut down.

“This action led to a violent response from members of the community, who began throwing stones at the officers in an attempt to prevent officers from carrying out their duties. As a result of the attack, three TMPD officers were injured and TMPD vehicles were damaged by the stones, and tyres were stabbed with sharp objects.”

Backup called in and arrests made

It furthermore said that in response to the escalating situation, the TMPD and SAPS Public Order Policing were called for backup, leading to the arrests of the shop owner, a Pakistan national found to be in the country illegally in contravention of the Immigration Act 13 of 2002, and three individuals who attacked the officers.

The suspects are currently detained at the local police station and are facing charges of malicious damage to property, assault on police officers, interference and public violence.

Additional charges may be added as the investigation progresses.

TMPD condemns attack

Meanwhile, the TMPD chief of police, commissioner Yolanda Faro, described the attack as barbaric and cowardly.

She emphasised that the TMPD will not tolerate any form of lawlessness and that an attack on police officers is an attack on the state itself.

“We will not hesitate to take action against those who seek to disrupt the peace and order in the City of Tshwane.”

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