The Humansdorp Cluster Commander, Brigadier John Lebok strongly condemns the violent acts and lawlessness that some community members in the Louterwater area, Joubertina reverted to, after the arrest of a suspect linked to a business robbery on Monday, 7 August 2017.
It is alleged that two suspects robbed a business in Louterwater at about 14:10 on Monday, 7 August 2017 and community member apprehended one of the male suspects (25) soon after the incident and handed the suspect over to the police.
Whilst the police members were still busy on the scene, community members outside the business, refused that the suspect be detained and they wanted the police to hand the suspect over to them the community. Members on the scene tried to contain the situation outside whilst the other police officials took the suspect to the local police station.
As soon as the community realized that the suspect had left they became violent and started stoning police vehicles and members on the scene. One police official was injured during the stone throwing. Community members allegedly overturned three police vehicles in the process and additional manpower from neighboring stations were deployed to contain the situation. Community members continued with their stone throwing and police retaliated by firing rubber bullets. Eleven vehicles were damaged during the violent acts. Community members closed the R62 with stones and burning tires and Public Order Police were called in to assist with the situation in the area.
Twelve suspects between the ages 20 – 43-years old were detained on a charge of public violence and are due to appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 10 August 2017. 11 males and one female.
On Tuesday, 8 August 2017, community members allegedly returned to the R62 and closed the road again with stones. Community members allegedly went to a shop that was on the R62 in Louterwater and looted it. Police members acted swiftly and arrested a further ten suspects, aged between 18 and 54 years old on a second charge of public violence. Police members followed up on information about the stolen property taken from the shop and arrested seven more suspects on a charge of possession of suspected stolen goods, ages 17 and 27 years old.
A total of 29 suspects were detained on the various charges and they will appear in the Humansdorp Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 10 August 2017, on these charges.
The South African Police Service calls upon the community to remain calm, not to take law into their own hands and to work with the police to bring calm and order to their area.
Police will remain on high alert and additional members were deployed to restore and maintain order. Police investigations are continuing.
South Africa Today – South Africa News
