The gang wars at Cape Flats have reached another level as no one is safe from the violence which has been ongoing for the past few months. A law enforcement officer from the City of Cape Town was attacked by a group of people using stones after he tried to arrest a gunman.
The officer is recovering at hospital. A woman was also shot at the same scene and was rushed to the hospital by a private vehicle after suffering some gunshot injuries. The officers had their vehicles damaged during the attack.
The incident happened in Hanover Park earlier today 19 July around 09:15. According to Jean-Pierre “JP” Smith, shootings were detected by the ShotSpotter technology around 09:11 around Johndown, Lonedown and Ryburg Roads.
Law enforcement officers and Metro cops responded to the scene where they saw suspects running away. Metro Police and Law Enforcement officers responded and saw an armed suspect running away. One officer chased but a suspect pulled a gun, shot and injured him.
When the officer pulled out his gun and tried to shoot at the suspect, other alleged gang members started throwing stones. The gunman managed to escape as the group of people helped him.
“A group alleged to be gang members, started hurling stones at the officer – he sustained head injuries, and a patrol vehicle too was damaged. The officer has since been taken to a medical facility for treatment.
“The gunman managed to get away, and bystanders grabbed the firearm and disposed of it. We are also aware of a civilian being shot – she was taken to hospital using private transport. The circumstances around this shooting are not clear,” said Smith.
He added that this is not the first time where bystanders attacked law enforcement while they do their work. “This is completely unacceptable, our staff put their lives on the line daily, in response to the pleas from communities battling with gang-related violence.
“We cannot allow this open defiance of law and order to continue. The people who aid and abet these criminals are guilty of a criminal offence and should be treated as criminals,” said Smith.
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