Tebogo Msimanga |
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 on how they handled a violent protest where a police nyala was gutted by fire and members were attacked. This incident happened on Monday near the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape.
SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said 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 escaped unharmed when the Nyala was set alight. The pair managed to jump out moments before the armoured vehicle burst into flames.”
Naidoo added that the National Commissioner has called upon the Provincial Commissioner of the Eastern Cape Liziwe Ntshinga, to mobilize the 72-hour activation plan, “to gather intelligence and evidence to help successfully identify the culprits responsible for undermining the authority of the State.”
Naidoo further said criminal cases including malicious damage to property and assault have been registered for investigation. No one has been arrested as yet.
The SAPS is calling on anyone who saw what transpired or know of anyone responsible for these acts to contact their nearest police station or share the information through the MySAPS App.
