Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said in a released statement that police have deployed additional resources and are monitoring the Johannesburg CBD following the incident.
Unrest in Hillbrow JHB yesterday after police confiscated counterfeit goods. @AsktheChiefJMPD @MichaelSun168 @SAPoliceService @GP_CommSafety #CrimeWatch pic.twitter.com/hlVmuTyt0l
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) June 10, 2019
“Members from both the Saps and JMPD together with brand owners were following up on information of counterfeit goods at Madiba Building on corner Jeppe and Von Willigh streets in the Johannesburg CBD when they were attacked by the group throwing rocks and other objects at the police,” said Peters in a statement.
Peters added that police fired rubber bullets and tactically withdrew to stabilise the situation when the number of attackers started growing.
“While no law enforcement members sustained injuries, an unconfirmed number of police vehicles were damaged and barriers set alight,” said Peters.
Police remained at the scene to ensure that there was no further violence caused.
Provincial Commissioner of police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela has condemned the incident and promised that those who have undermined the authority of the State in this manner, will be caught and will face the full might of the law. “We cannot allow such lawlessness to go unpunished,” said the Provincial Commissioner.
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