Six City law enforcement staff came under attack in a space of a week

The City of Cape Town has condemned the attacks on its law enforcement staff. According to the municipality, six of its enforcement services officers came under attack, this week.

SUPPLIED: Facebook - JP Smith

MMC for Safety & Security, JP Smith says a group of men assaulted two Law Enforcement Officers in Hout Bay, on Monday, while they were issuing a fine for an amaphela taxi found to be obstructing traffic.

Then, late on Thursday afternoon, four traffic officers were taken to N1 City Hospital for medical treatment after an incident in Milnerton that resulted in the arrest of two suspects.

Smith said two of the officers were conducting enforcement operations in the area, when they spotted an overloaded Toyota Quantum, just after 5pm.

‘’The driver refused to stop, and after a short chase, he was brought to a halt, but immediately started assaulting the officers and resisting arrest. A second taxi then stopped, and that driver too joined the assault. The officers managed to call for backup, as a crowd had gathered and started threatening them. Two more colleagues arrived, and they managed to arrest the two suspects, despite the fracas.’’

The suspects were detained at Milnerton SAPS on a number of charges including reckless and negligent driving, assault on a peace officer, resisting arrest, damage to council property- and failing to comply with a lawful instruction.

‘’These incidents of interference and resistance by persons breaking the law, but also bystanders, is becoming all too commonplace. It can’t be that the same communities who cry out for enforcement are the ones who obstruct those very efforts. These incidents are among the reasons why we are working to amend the Traffic by-law, to empower our staff to push back against the total disregard for the rule of law,’’ added Smith.

Giving an update on Friday, Smith said the attacker was again identified and his vehicle surrounded before he could react. The suspect was subsequently arrested and will face multiple criminal charges.

‘’As South Africa faces an unprecedented levels of lawlessness, it is but a small group of members across the enforcement services, that have the responsibility of 'holding the line.' Respect of the law and the members within these services, are crucial to the future success of South Africa. The law must be upheld, no fear or favour...,’’ said JP Smith, MMC for Safety & Security.

 

Done by: Esobusi Mkangelwa