Eastern Cape police management condemn attack on its members

Two suspects are expected to appear in court on charges of assaulting police and malicious damage to property after they are alleged to have instigated the attacks against police officers.

CAPE TOWN, June 17 (ANA) – Two suspects are expected to appear in court on charges of assaulting police and malicious damage to property after they are alleged to have instigated the attacks against the officers.

In a statement released on Thursday, Eastern Cape provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana said the suspects aged 28 and 35, were in detention in Grahamstown after the incident on Monday. He said with more arrests were imminent.

He said on the day of the incident, two officers were patrolling along D Street in Fingo Village in Grahamstown in Makhanda, near a local tavern and noticed a group of people dancing to loud music on a wireless speaker in the middle of the road.

Kinana said officers could also see the group were openly drinking liquor from bottles in public.

He said the officers stopped the crowd and warned them against blocking the road and drinking in public. However, the crowd retaliated with insults, badgering the officers to leave the revellers alone.

Kinana said the unruly members of the community obstructed the officers from carrying out their duties, which is to ensure peace and order. They also attacked the officers who were returning to their vehicle.

He said the crowd hurled stones at the police vehicle as the officers drove away, adding that it was damaged in the incident.

The officers called for reinforcement and when their back up arrived, a man and woman, who allegedly instigated the violence and attack on the officers, were arrested.

Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga expressed serious concerns about the attack on police members, calling it an indirect attack on the rule of law and government.

“We are going to deal decisively with disruptive criminal elements who consistently launch an onslaught on innocent officers.

“Our members will continue fighting crime undeterred and nobody will stop them from carrying out this mandate,” Ntshinga said.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Naomi Mackay