Mpumalanga police commissioner Lieutenant-General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has sent out a stern warning to those who interfere with officers exercising their duties.

Her warning follows after the latest court appearance by Lunga Promise Nkambule (29) who was arrested after handing himself to the Volksrust Police Station following reports of him aiding a suspect to escape from lawful custody on May 7.

According to Manamela, Nkambule allegedly pointed an unlawful firearm at a police officer on duty after his friend was arrested for negligent driving.

They had been visiting a local tavern operating outside the stipulated hours, and police visited the outlet to ensure compliance when one vehicle recklessly bumped two stationary vehicles on the scene.

According to the statement, police stopped the driver, arrested him and while loading the suspect in the police van, Nkambule is said to have arrived on the scene, blocking the police vehicle and taking out a firearm.

Nkambule demanded the release of his friend and, according to the statement, instructed the police to open the van’s door.

The arrested driver escaped into the darkness, while Nkambule also found his way through the crowd who had gathered around the liquor outlet.

The police took the vehicle to the police station and Nkambule followed them. He failed to produce a licence for the firearm, so the police confiscated it and locked Nkambule up.

At his court appearance in the Volksrust Magistrate’s Court on May 8, the case was postponed to yesterday for a formal bail application.

Nkambule was remanded in custody, facing charges relating to possessing an unlicensed firearm, pointing of a firearm, obstructing the cause of justice and aiding a suspect to escape.

The firearm will undergo ballistic testing to determine if it was used in other criminal activities. The police say they could not rule out the possibility of more charges being added as the investigation continues.