CAPE TOWN – Two suspects, aged 34 and 50, are facing charges of common assault following an attack on police officers in Philippi East. The pair are expected to be formally charged upon their release from hospital, where they are currently under police guard.
The incident occurred on Friday 20 February while officers were conducting crime prevention operations in the area.
Provincial police spokesperson, Constable Ndakhe Gwala, said officers had visited several illegally operating liquor outlets to shut them down, as such establishments contribute to violent crime and compromise the safety of residents.
Officers fire rubber bullets after alleged attack at Lower Crossroads shebeen
“Upon arrival at a shebeen in Lower Crossroads, the officers were attacked by a group of people at the establishment. The officers fired rubber baton rounds to ward off the attack and disperse the crowd,” said Gwala.
Residents demand release of arrested community members
However, a community member, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, disputed the police’s version of events and demanded the release of the two arrested men. He accused officers of attacking patrons without provocation.
“We were sitting in a shebeen having drinks when the officers arrived and forced us to leave. While we were finishing our beers and others were chatting, the officers attacked us. We did not attack them — we were trying to protect ourselves and escape,” he claimed, adding that some patrons were shot and injured with rubber bullets.
He said the community’s main concern was the release of their “brothers,” arguing that officers should have confiscated the alcohol and left without using force.
