The National Commissioner of Police, General Khehla John Sitole has called on police officers around the country to continue stamping the authority of the State, this after communities in areas in Gauteng and the North West Province mobilized against police officers raiding illegal shebeens this past weekend.
In the first incident at about 02:00 on Friday, 12 March 2021, a Sergeant stationed at Garsfontein police station was severely assaulted with stones by residents of the Plastic View Informal Settlement while they were closing illegal shebeens. The Sergeant was admitted to a local hospital where he received multiple stitches to open wounds to his head.
In the second incident, also on Friday but in Jouberton area in the North West Province, police were conducting routine crime prevention duties which included closing of shebeens. They responded to a tip off in which a house where large quantities of alcohol was being stored and sold.
Police raided the house but the owner fled. While police were loading the liquor into a police vehicle, the community quickly mobilized, then stormed the police van and started removing the liquor from the van. The police drove off to the station with about half of the liquor remaining in the vehicle. In the middle of the scuffle a suspect was seen throwing a bottle at the police bakkie, damaging it.
The police opened a docket of MITP and we intend to add a charge of incitement of violence and disturbing police in the execution of their duties.
“The acts by these respective communities are unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest possible terms”, said General Khehla Sitole.
“It is common knowledge that alcohol has been one of the biggest generators of contact crimes including gender based violence and Femicide and communities should be rallying together against the illegal sale of such” added General Sitole.
The National Commissioner has instructed the Provincial Commissioners to mobilise the 72-hour activation plan, identify those culprits who assaulted and obstructed police in the execution of their duties and to bring them to book. The National Commissioner has also called on police officers to remain resolute during operations which serves to ensure that criminal activities are dealt with decisively and that people are and feel safe.
