LIMPOPO – This denouncement follows an incident which occurred yesterday evening in the Zaaiplaas area outside Groblesdal when a police van was torched and a constable injured during protest action, Police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe said.
The group of residents from a Zaaiplaas community have been protesting since Tuesday and had barricaded the R579 road, he explained.
According to reports it is alleged that two officers were performing their normal duties when these residents turned against them and attacked them using a various assortment of objects including stones.
“During this attack the constable sustained injuries.”
Reinforcements were called in and the situation has now been normalized, added Ngoepe.
The Saps Provincial Commissioner LT. General Nneke Ledwaba has rebuked these mushrooming tendencies of attacks on police members.
“We urge members to take appropriate and legal actions to defend themselves in the wake of imminent attacks. Communities are warned that the police will take stern legal actions to defend themselves, any other person or property against these attacks,” said General Ledwaba.
“Community members are expected to support and embrace the Police in their endeavour to fight crime rather than attacking them. Those who participated in this heinous act are going to be hunted down until they are brought to book,” concluded General Ledwaba.
Cases of malicious damage to property and assault have been opened and investigations are continuing. The suspects in this matter are unknown and there is no arrest.
Anyone with information which can lead to the arrest of the suspects involved in this matter, may contact Captain Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501 or the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest Police .
