Police officers were recently attacked by community members during a shutdown operation that turned violent in Grabouw. One officer sustained a head injury and a case of public violence and assault was opened.

The attack took place when the Caledon public order police were closing an illegal establishment in the Covid informal settlement on Sunday 24 May. This according to an official police source. The incident is reported to have taken place at 16:35. “The officers asked the people [at the shebeen] to leave and as they split in separate directions they started throwing stones and bottles at the police, leading to one of them getting hurt on the head,” the source said in reply to a Hermanus Times enquiry. The injured officer subsequently received medical treatment.

More establishments were closed down and owners were arrested and liquor licences were confiscated.

According to an official Facebook statement by the Grabouw Police Station commander, Col Winston Coetzee, police officers were carrying out their duties in service of the law and in protection of the community when they were attacked. It is asserted that the perpetrators were acting unlawfully and protecting the business interests of the shebeen owners.

“Such acts of violence against law-enforcement officers are unacceptable, cowardly and a direct attack on the authority of the state and the rule of law,” the official response said.

Behind the uniform and before the law police officers are “human first”. “They are fathers and mothers and belong to a family,” Coetzee said. “They are not things that you can willingly throw objects at.”

He said the Grabouw police remain committed to reinforce operations against illegal liquor establishments in the area as well as bringing all criminal activities associated with them to justice, in accordance with the law.

“We will not be intimidated or deterred by criminal elements seeking to undermine policing efforts. Any attack on police officials will be investigated and those responsible will face the full might of the law.”

Meanwhile, he has recognised and commended the “bravery, professionalism and dedication of our members who continue to place their lives at risk in the fight against crime.”

Said the official response: “We further call on the community to support the fight against crime by reporting illegal liquor trading and criminal activities and by working together with the police to restore peace and safety in our areas.”

A public violence and attack on police case docket was opened and is currently on record.