Samora Machel CPF condemns attack on police officers in Messiah informal settlement

• Two police officers were attacked in the Messiah informal settlement on Friday 29 November while attending a complaint.
• The Samora Machel Community Policing Forum (CPF) condemned the attack, calling for severe action against perpetrators.
• Police investigations are ongoing, with suspects still at large and community members are urged to report suspicious activity to help ensure safety during the festive season.

The Samora Machel Community Policing Forum (CPF) has condemned attacks on police officers by criminals.

This comes in the aftermath of one on two officers at Messiah informal settlement in the area on Friday 29 November while attending a complaint. The pair escaped unharmed, but their vehicle was severely damaged.

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Samora Machel CPF spokesperson Xolani Joja said such incidents undermined the law and perpetrators deserve to rot in jail.

“It is a shocking incident,” he declared, “and we want the law-enforcement agencies not to leave any stone unturned. By attacking law-enforcement officers one is attacking the state itself.” Joja added that anyone found on the wrong side of the law must face the music.

He expressed concern over people going away in December because it made convening community meetings difficult.

“Since it’s this time of the year, many people are going on holiday and making it difficult to hold meetings. But the forum will meet with the Samora Machel Police Station management to find a way forward.” Joja urged the community to report any suspicious behaviour.

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Provincial police spokesperson W/OJoseph Swartbooi confirmed the incident. He said Samora Machel officers were investigating a case of an attack on police. He said officers responded to a complaint on Friday 29 November, and on entering the informal settlement they came under fire and defended themselves.

“The vehicle was damaged as a result of gunshots, but the members escaped unharmed yet were traumatised. The suspects fled the scene and had yet to be arrested.”