Pretoria – The South African Police Services (SAPS) has urged protesters to work with the police in ensuring that marches are peaceful.
The call was made after sporadic incidents of violence and criminality occurred on Wednesday in Pretoria, which included stones being thrown at vehicles and windows of premises, looting of stores, barricading of roads, the disruption of traffic and physical attacks on police members on duty.
This resulted in 28 arrests being made. Police are investigating 35 cases which relate to various charges of malicious damage to property, public violence, burglary and assault.
Law enforcement agencies, led by the South African Police Service, were deployed in and around the Tshwane Central Business District (CBD) precinct from 6pm on Tuesday till 10pm on Wednesday.
"Unfortunately the third event, which included a night vigil and a march by Economic Freedom Front (EFF) supporters, was in many instances marred by incidents of damage to property, looting, public violence, intimidation and attacks on the police," SAPS said.
Two police officers were injured during the protests on Wednesday.
“One member, a captain, was seriously injured at about 15:30 yesterday next to the Union Buildings when he was attacked in a police vehicle and hit in the face so violently with a glass bottle that the bottle shattered.
“He underwent surgery last night after sustaining several deep cuts to his facial area, which resulted in his nose being half-severed and the cortex of his eye being damaged,” SAPS said.
He is recovering in hospital. Another captain sustained injury to his leg from being stoned and he was treated at a nearby clinic.
SAPS has wished their members a speedy recovery.
“These unfortunate incidents, which resulted in members of the service being injured, are regrettable and must be condemned by all of us,” SAPS said. – SAnews.gov.za
