POLOKWANE – Police in Polokwane have acted decisively by closing the taxi rank on corner Dahl and Rissik streets, following violent skirmishes that resulted in two policemen being injured and one person being shot.

According to police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, the incident occurred on Friday afternoon, 14 September, when members of a police unit in charge of preventing crime in the city center were on crime prevention duties, arresting suspects for being in possession of dagga and nyaope.

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“Those members were then attacked by a group of suspects traveling in two vehicles. An assortment of objects including stones were thrown at the members. Two members suffered slight injuries and two police vehicles were also damaged,” he explained.

The situation became volatile when the suspects began shooting at the police and a shootout ensued. One suspect was shot in the leg.

“Three suspects, including the one who was shot, were arrested and taken to the police station. While at the police station, one of the arrested suspects was so intoxicated, possibly by drugs or nyaope, damaged police equipment and was later subdued. More arrests are expected,” he added.

The taxi rank was closed on Saturday, 15 September and will remain closed until the police are satisfied that the operators are compliant with the law.

Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has condemned the violence, saying police have a constitutional mandate and obligation to eradicate all forms of criminality anywhere in the province and will not allow taxi ranks to be used as heavens of criminality.

“The arrested suspects will appear in Polokwane Magistrates Court soon on charges of attempted murder, malicious damage to property and possession of dagga.

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