Four accused between the ages of 28 and 35 will appear in the Potchefstroom Magistrates Court on charges of possession of suspected stolen property, possession of drugs and assault with the intent to do grievous bodily harm on Monday, 02 September 2019.
The suspects were apprehended at about 11:30 on Thursday, 29 August 2019 after police task team on drugs followed-up on information received about drugs and suspected stolen goods that were hidden inside a house in Promosa outside Potchefstroom.
It is alleged that a search, which the police conducted at the house, resulted in the recovery of numerous suspected stolen cellular phones as well as drugs, suspected to be crystal meth. It was at that point that the tenants became aggressive and other members of the community mobilised and unleashed an attack against the police. As a result, two police officers were taken to hospital for treatment after sustaining serious head wounds while the other two escaped with slight injuries. It was also established after Public Order Police (POP) back-up dispersed the crowd that two police vehicles which were parked outside the house, were pelted with stones and their tyres slashed with sharp objects during the confrontation.
The injured police officers were later released from the hospital.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of North West, Major General Ryno Naidoo condemned the incident and wished the injured members a speedy recovery. He warned that attack on police officers is an attack against the State which will not be tolerated. In addition, he urged the community to cooperate and strengthen the hands of the police in order to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.
