“Do not hit back unless your life is in danger.”

This is the advice of a senior police officer from Carletonville when asked about the legal issues residents may get themselves into if they get involved in street fights. The warning follows an incident in which a resident (62) became involved in a physical altercation in a parking area next to a supermarket in Oberholzer on the afternoon of Friday March 13.

The resident claims he was sitting in his vehicle when a woman parked next to him began staring at and verbally confronting him through the driver’s side window. Her husband allegedly approached shortly afterwards and struck him while he was still seated in the car.

The situation quickly escalated when the resident retaliated using an object that was inside his vehicle, leading to a physical fight between the two men. Video footage of the incident shows bystanders attempting to separate them, while it is also alleged that the other man removed the resident’s car keys from the ignition during the altercation.

Security personnel and police later arrived on the scene, and both men were taken to the Carletonville police station. Although one initially intended to open an assault case, he reportedly reconsidered after being informed that both parties could face legal consequences, especially if it was found that he had started the confrontation.

No cases were ultimately opened. According to the police officer with whom the Herald spoke about the incident, people must rather walk away from a potential fight, as they will, according to the law, be just as guilty when they hit back. The only exception will be if their life is really in danger.

“People do not realise how much trouble they can get into as a result of a fight. A man from Kagiso recently got sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment due to a fight. Rather step away, it is not worth getting yourself into so much trouble,” the police officer says.

It is also possible that someone can trip and fall during a fight. If this happens and this person dies, the person he fought with will be charged with murder, even if he did not start the fight. Even if it is only an assault case, the legal costs and time spent in court will still take a huge toll on someone.

“Why go through all of this if you could just have stepped away?”

A resident who is attacked does not have to take the law into their own hands, as they can open an assault case with the police, and if someone continuously harasses them, they can get a protection order against that person.