Police officers from the Muldersdrift Police Station got more than they bargained for when they attended a complaint of disturbance of public peace at the Video Informal Settlement on Saturday, 3 April.
They arrived at approximately 2.30am, and were met by the hostile patrons, who not only attacked the officers, but also torched the police van.
The officers sought cover in a nearby shack as the group continued to pelt them with objects, while also threatening to kill them. The situation was brought under control when the Public Order Police (POPS) officers arrived.
One officer was injured and had to be transported to hospital.
Brigadier Mathapelo Peters, Provincial Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident and said that a case pertaining to the attack on the police as well as the damage to the police vehicle was opened.
She also confirmed that the owner of the unlicensed liquor outlet was arrested, saying, “Police have arrested the owner of an unlicensed liquor outlet in Muldersdrift, and confiscated liquor whose value is yet to be determined. He will be charged with contravening the Gauteng Liquor Board legislation for trading in liquor without a licence. The suspect will also be charged with contravention of the Disaster Management Act, COVID-19 level 1 lockdown regulations that prohibit the sale of alcohol after 11pm.”
The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Major General Tommy Mthombeni has condemned the incident that is indicative of the extent to which some members of the public will go to undermine the authority of the State.
“Our members who came under attack by this lawless group of people who are said to have been very aggressive, should actually be commended for sacrificing their safety and ensuring no member of the public got injured. They had the option to use their service firearms but instead used their discretion not to use those firearms, averting a possible bloodbath. Our Employee Health and Wellness teams must continue to give priority attention to these members to ensure their emotional and psychological recovery,” he concluded.
