Three accused, Simon Phihlela, Amaisieh Mpe and Tshepo Ramaite are expected to appear in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court again next week facing charges of attempted murder, malicious damage to property, two counts of assault on Police and resisting arrest after they were apprehended during a clean-up operation that turned violent at an inner city taxi rank and later at the local Police station on Friday.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Moatshe Ngoepe indicated that the trio was expected to apply for bail during their next appearance.
This follows an incident where 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 out of the blue 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 two of them 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.
Police closed the taxi rank but Ngoepe confirmed that it was reopened on Monday afternoon and that all activities were back to normal.
Story: RC Myburgh
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