BREAKING NEWS – Taxi rank closed after attack on cops

While three suspects are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court early this week, the taxi rank on the corner of Rissik and Dahl streets remain closed until further notice after a clean-up operation turned violent resulting in two Police officers allegedly being injured and one person allegedly being shot on Friday.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe indicated that members of the Police entrusted with the responsibility of preventing crime in the city centre were performing their duties arresting suspects on charges of being in possession of dagga and nyaope. The members were then all of a sudden attacked by a group of suspects travelling in two vehicles. According to Ngoepe a variety of objects including stones were thrown at officers resulting in the two being injured and two Police vehicles damaged.
He added that the situation became volatile when the attackers started shooting at the Police who returned fire, injuring one of the suspects in the leg. Three suspects, including the one shot, were arrested and taken to the Police station. While apprehended at the station one of the arrested suspects who was allegedly intoxicated with drugs started damaging Police equipment such as computers, photocopiers, walls and windows, according to Ngoepe who added that more arrests were expected.
He confirmed that the taxi rank will remain closed until the Police are satisfied that operators are compliant with the law.
The arrested suspects are charged with attempted murder, malicious damage to property and possession of dagga.

Story: RC Myburgh
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