Three men were arrested after they allegedly assaulted a police official at a filling station in Mankweng early Saturday morning, while they were under the influence of alcohol.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi said the three suspects, aged 21, 24 and 27 years, allegedly assaulted the police official, who is stationed in Groblersdal, following a car chase that started in Polo-kwane’s central business district. Mulaudzi said the police official was driving towards Mankweng when a car behind him flashed its lights and he gave it the right of way. “As the car passed, it allegedly slowed down and one of the occupants hurled an empty bottle towards the police official’s car. The police official, who was in full uniform, sensed a potential threat and sped off,” Mulaudzi said.
He said the men followed the police official to a filling station in Mankweng where they apparently smashed the windows of the vehicle the police official was travelling in. The police official fled into the filling station shop with his firearm, which he then handed to the security guard for safekeeping, Mulaudzi said. “The suspects witnessed him handing over the firearm and started assaulting him,” Mulaudzi said.
Eye-witnesses alerted the Mankweng police and the men were arrested. The official was taken to hospital and later discharged.
The three suspects are facing charges of malicious damage to property, attempted car hijacking and common assault and were due to appear before the Mankweng magistrate’s court yesterday (Tuesday).
