Child dies in botched hijacking, chaos erupts, Chatsworth SAPS

South African Police Service

The Acting Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has condemned the scenes of violence witnessed outside the Chatsworth Police Station last night, 28 May 2018.

“We wish to convey our sincere condolences to the family of Sadia Sukraj (9) who passed away during a botched hijacking. It is sad that certain individuals are diverting attention away from what occurred yesterday when they should be consoling and supporting the family during this tragic time. We are comforted by the fact that we have an active Community Policing Forum at Chatsworth who do not support the illegal activities that were witnessed yesterday,” he said.

Last night approximately 1000 members of the community, some of them drunk and disorderly, descended outside the police station. They burnt tyres, obstructed the road and hurled objects towards the police station while they attempted to force the gates open.

The group demanded that police hand over the arrested suspect to them so that they can deal with him through mob justice. Police were compelled to use minimum force to disperse the group as they posed a threat to members of the community and police officers. A total of 20 suspects were arrested for public violence and will appear in the Chatsworth Magistrates Court tomorrow.

The Acting Provincial Commissioner visited the Chatsworth Police Station this morning to assess the state of policing in the precinct. Following the meeting he directed the station management to submit a plan to him in terms of how they will deploy their manpower and vehicles to ensure heightened visibility and increased police operations which will ensure that the movement of criminals are curtailed.

South Africa Today – South Africa News

SOURCESouth African Police Service