A 26-year-old man was arrested by the Bekkersdal Police after he attacked and assaulted an on-duty police officer in Simunye, Bekkersdal during the afternoon of Wednesday, 16 May.
He will be charged with two counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm (GBH) and resisting arrest.
“It is alleged the officers were conducting their normal crime prevention duties when they responded to a call for back-up from the sector vehicle in Simunye,” said Sergeant Linkie Lefakane, Bekkersdal Police spokesperson.
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She added, “The members rushed to the address where they found the sector members struggling to restrain the alleged assault suspect. The suspect was resisting arrest after he had hacked another man on his head with an object, causing him to lose consciousness.
“The officers provided back-up, but while they were trying to restrain the suspect, he grabbed an officer by his hand and bit him. A large number of community members came out, and also tried to attack the police for arresting the suspect. The officers were forced to use minimum force to disperse the crowd and managed to drive away.”
Colonel Tinus Swart, the Bekkersdal Police station commander, condemned the violent behaviour displayed by the community, particularly towards police members.
“We are supposed to be working together, not against one another and those who attack our police will face the long arm of the law. This kind of behaviour must come to an end,” he said.
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