Two suspects are set to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court soon after they were arrested in Hjalmer Street, Booysens Ext 4 in Hercules, west of Pretoria.

They reportedly attempted to connect electricity illegally on Friday.

Local police spokesperson Warrant Officer Duane Lightfoot says a complaint was received that several suspects were attempting to connect electricity illegally.

“We received a complaint about the suspects who wanted to illegally connect electricity at the entrance of Gomora informal settlement. The crime prevention members and wardens went to investigate and upon arrival, they found a step ladder, hammer, and cables next to a pole where a new transformer was installed and illegal connections were removed a day before.”

Lightfoot explains people started to throw stones at the police as they were removing the items.

“The [police] members retreated with the vehicles as the group threw bricks at the vehicles, damaging one police vehicle. As a police member was still trying to retreat, his vehicle got stuck in a ditch and the group continued to attack with bricks and stones,” he continues.

Crime wardens and private security started to chase the group and two men were caught and arrested.

“No [police] members or wardens were injured during the attack, and the Public Order Policing was called to secure the scene.”

He says the suspects are facing charges of public violence, attempted murder, malicious damage to state property, and tampering with infrastructure.