The new Cluster Commander for Mount Road, Major General Thembisile Patekile, welcomed the swift arrest of four suspects who allegedly were involved in the attack on police earlier yesterday afternoon.
Police spokeswoman Priscilla Naidu said it was alleged that yesterday afternoon at about 16:00, police members from Gelvandale and the Cluster Crime Combating Task Team (CCCTT) were busy with stop and search operations in Martin Street, Helenvale when they were pelted with stones.
Naidu said, “The SAPS were effecting an arrest for drugs as the suspect resisted arrest. A group intervened and started throwing stones and one police member sustained an open wound on his forehead while two police vehicles were damaged.
“Police have opened cases of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and at about 20:00 last night police members including the Cluster Operational Command Centre, Gelvandale, Flying Squad, Public Order Policing and the Air Wing saturated the area of Helenvale, hunting down the suspects.”
Two suspects aged, 23 and 26, were arrested at a house in Martin Street while the other two suspects, both aged 23 years were also arrested at another house in Martin Street.
“All the suspects are affiliated to the New Kids gang they were detained on charges of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and malicious damage to property and they will appear in court tomorrow,” Naidu said.
Patekile implored his officers to remain resolute in the performance of their duties and to take swift and decisIve action to protect themselves and members of the public within the remit of the law.
Patekile said, “We will not be daunted by these attacks on our members, we will continue to maintain increased presence in these hotspot areas and we will not tolerate any provocation of police officers when they are performing their duties.
“Those responsible for attacks on our law enforcers will be dealt with.”
Patekile further urged the community not to support criminal elements but to instead report any information at the nearest police station or to call Crime Stop on 0860010111 and Crime Line 32211 Picture: PROVIDED
