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Community members allegedly attacked the officers and released four undocumented foreigners who were arrested. (Rooster)
- A 27-year-old man has been arrested following an attack on three Limpopo police officers at Greenside Extension 44, outside Polokwane.
- The man is believed to have incited the violence.
- Community members allegedly attacked the officers and released four undocumented foreign officers.
A 27-year-old man was arrested for allegedly inciting community members at Greenside Extension 44, outside Polokwane, to attack three Limpopo police officers.
The incident took place on Saturday while agents carried out an operation that led to the arrest of undocumented foreigners.
Community members allegedly attacked the officers and released four undocumented foreigners who were arrested.
“The suspect was arrested during a quick operation that was carried out in the same area,” said provincial police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.
Mojapelo said that during the arrest of the undocumented foreigners, one of them allegedly pulled out a knife and advanced on the police officers, allegedly threatening to stab them, but was shot and injured, News24 reported.
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“The brother of the injured foreigner allegedly incited community members in the area to attack the police [and] then he started throwing stones and in the process [injured] three policemen and [damaged] its three vehicles. Community members then released all arrested illegal immigrants from police vehicles. “
The wounded police officers received medical treatment and were subsequently discharged. The police then located one of the four men and arrested him at a hospital where he was being treated for injuries. The man has since been released from the hospital and is currently in police custody.
Mojapelo said the suspects will appear in Polokwane Magistrates Court on Monday on charges of assault on police, incitement to commit a crime, malicious damage to property and escape from legal custody.
“The search for the other suspects, including those who were released by community members from a police vehicle, continues,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) condemned the attacks in the “strongest terms.”
He said:
This brazen attack can be seen as an unscrupulous means not only to undermine law enforcement, but also to generate anarchy within the community. We call on law-abiding citizens to disapprove and reject such regressive acts.
– Compiled by Jeanette Chabalala
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