Police officers assaulted and state vehicle damaged
DENNILTON – The Provincial Commissioner of South African Police Service (SAPS) in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, has expressed strong condemnation following an incident in which police were violently attacked and their vehicle damaged in Dennilton, Ntwane Village on Saturday morning, 13 July.
Colonel Malesela Ledwaba, Limpopo Provincial Police spokesperson, indicated according to reports, police were patrolling when they noticed members of the community attacking each other during the graduation ceremony from an initiation school held at the local tribal office.
Ledwaba informed that the officers promptly responded and tried to stabilize the situation, but they were attacked by unruly community members. “Two police officers were assaulted and a police Quantum was damaged after one community member hit it multiple times with a hard object,” stated Ledwaba.
He added that members of the Public Order Policing and neighbouring stations provided back-up and swiftly diffused the situation, and five members of the community were initially arrested with others managing to evade arrest.
“It is not yet known what caused the violence. Cases of malicious damage to property, assault common, public violence were opened,” explained Ledwaba.
General Thembi Hadebe stressed, “This cowardly act resulted in the injury of our police officers and damage to our state resources. An attack on our police officers is an attack on the state and the community they serve. We will ensure that those responsible for this reprehensible act are swiftly brought to justice.”
The arrested suspects appeared before the Moutse Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 15 July. They were identified as Ramasedi Motsumi Mathebe (37), Kabelo Makitla (34), Thabang Makanyane Mathebe (31), Paledi Joseph Mathabathe (48), Ntwane David Mohlamonyane (74), Hlame Mathebe (49) and Ernest Mathebe.
They were expected to reappear before the court on 17 July for profiling purposes. The paper had already gone for print when they reappeared.
Anyone with information about the other suspects should contact Warrant Officer Michael Seopela on 082 303 9907, the crime stop number 08600 10111 or send information using the MySAPSApp.
