Pretoria – The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Khehla John Sitole commended the Public Order Police (POP)Unit attached to the King William’s Town policing precinct for the manner in which they handled a violent protest where a police nyala was gutted by fire and members were attacked. This incident happened earlier today, near the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
Members of the Public Order Police unit were monitoring a protest when they came under fire, allegedly by university students.
Four POP members sustained injuries when a group of violent protestors threw stones at members conducting foot and vehicle patrols. One member has since been hospitalized.
Two members monitoring the violent protest in a police nyala fortunately escaped unharmed when when the Nyala was set alight. The pair managed to jump out moments before the armoured vehicle burst into flames.
The National Commissioner Of the SAPS has thereby called upon the Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape to mobilize the 72-hour activation plan, a plan designed to to mobilize critical resources and expertise to gather intelligence and evidence to help successfully identify the culprits responsible for undermining the authority of the State.
“Members from the POP Unit must be commended for practising restraint and enforcing the law within the parameters as set out by the Constituition when they came under attack. We wish the injured members a speedy recovery and have also dispatched our Employee Health and Wellness Unit to provide psychological support to all affected members”, concluded General KJ Sitole.
Criminal cases including malicious damage to property and assaulted have been registered for investigation. No suspect/s has/have been arrested as yet.
The SAPS is calling on anyone who saw what transpired or know of anyone who is responsible for these acts to contact their nearest police station or share the information through the MySAPS App. Members of the public are reminded that they may remain anonymous.
