After tears goers assault JMPD officer in Soweto
A group of mourners has severely assaulted a Johannesburg Metro Police Department official in Soweto.
The officer was part of a team that went to disperse an “after-tears” gathering in Protea Glen Extension 7 following the burial of a well-known pub owner.
While some of the mourners left – others were defiant.
The officer was injured during a scuffle with the resistant crowd while the law enforcement officers were confiscating the group’s alcohol.
He suffered an unjury to his face.
Two suspects were arrested for the incident. “The main suspect who started the assault fled the scene but left his vehicle, which was impounded,” says JMPD Spokesperson, Xolani Fihla.
Fihla says the duo has been charged with assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and the contravention of the Disaster Management Act for Adjusted Level 3 Regulations.
They were detained at the Protea Glen Police Station, while their victim is recuperating in hospital.
“The JMPD condemns the assault of any police official and we cannot allow that to happen because the attack on police officers who are legally executing their duties is an attack on the rule of law and the city,” Fihla adds.
Gatherings and the consumption of alcohol in public spaces are banned in South Africa under the adjusted level 3 lockdown that is meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
So far, Gauteng alone has 346 482 COVID-19 cases and 6 606 deaths. – Report by Jozi FM News Editor, Moshe Maswanganyi.
