The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena welcomes the arrest of five suspects for attacking police officers. The incident occurred on Thursday, 9 November 2023, in Freedom Park near Phokeng outside Rustenburg.
According to reports, two detectives from Phokeng police station were officially on duty and conducting investigations in Freedom Park. The members found a 51-year-old suspect wanted for assault. They warned the suspect accordingly and requested him to accompany them to the police station. The suspect then allegedly blew the whistle and members of the community gathered at his place and locked the gate, tied the police officers with ropes and assaulted them with knobkerries. The police officers were also robbed of their cellphones while the state motor vehicle was damaged.
Subsequently, Public Order Police (POP) and Tactical Response Team (TRT) members rescued the pair who sustained serious injuries. The suspects, aged between 24 and 51, were arrested for robbery, assault on police officers, aiding to escape and malicious damage to property. The suspects are expected to appear on Monday, 13 November 2023, before the Bafokeng Magistrates’ Court in Tlhabane.
The Provincial Police Commissioner, condemned the incident, which he said is tantamount to undermining the authority of the state and that it cannot be tolerated. He further urged members of the community to work together with the police in the fight against crime.