Police and JMPD under attack
In the latest crime, a police officer was shot and wounded in Carletonville.
There is some concern regarding the safety of police after three Gauteng law enforcement officers were shot and wounded in separate crimes in just the last 24 hours in Ivory Park and Carletonville.
Two JMPD officers and one police member are recovering from gunshot wounds in hospital following shootings in these separate incidents. In the latest crime, a police officer was shot and wounded in Carletonville.
Last week three officers were killed in shootouts with robbers in Gauteng while a Hawks official was stabbed to death while changing his car’s tyres on the side of the highway.
According to Lungelo Dlamini, Gauteng Police spokesperson,
In the Carletonville incident, a police officer was shot after he stopped an overloaded vehicle. One of the occupants fired a shot and then and hit the police officer in the stomach.”
Dlamini continued, “His colleague returned fire and one of the suspects was fatally shot and the others arrested.”
He also confirmed two JMPD officers were wounded in Midrand recently when a motorist opened fire on them while they were performing traffic control duties. Dlamini says that no one has been arrested for the latest shootings and police are calling for the public to come forward with information.
National Police spokesperson, Vishnu Naidoo added,
Officers have been told to treat every situation as life-threatening and to always call for back up.We have now intensified our communication with our members to take utmost precaution when executing their duties.”
He said police officers are being targeted by violent criminals in retaliation for their fight against crime.
“The reason why our police officers are coming under such attacks is because of our unrelenting attitude towards fighting crime, towards criminals.”
Naidoo said,
It’s disheartening for officers to see their colleagues die” and sends what he said is a “wave of depression”.
The presidency has called on the public to rally behind police as they fight to stop violent criminals in their communities.
President Jacob Zuma has extended his condolences to the families of four slain police officers and has condemned the murders. Police said they’re prioritising these cases and Zuma has called on the public to work with law-enforcement agencies to fight crime.
Presidency Spokesperson Bongani Majola said, “Police are the buffer between the community and criminals. We should all work together to support the police in their work. We also urge the law enforcement officers to protect themselves within the confines of the law.”
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