Trio arrested for assaulting JMPD officers in Elandspark

Three men have been arrested for assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after attacking and punching Johannesburg metropolitan police department (JMPD) officers on Sunday.

JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said the two officers who were attacked were taken to Milpark Hospital for medical treatment after sustaining injuries to the face and arms.

According to Fihla, while driving on their way to work using a private vehicle on Sunday, two JMPD officers stopped at a red traffic light at Heidelberg Road and Van Wyk Louw Road in Elandspark next to a white Volkswagen Amarok single-cab bakkie.

“The male driver and two male passengers from the bakkie started insulting them in a derogatory manner yelling racial slurs. The officers ignored them, and when the traffic light turned green both vehicles moved. As the vehicles were moving, the passengers from the bakkie threw empty alcohol bottles at the officers’ vehicle. The officers stopped and moved towards the bakkie to find out what their problem was,” he said.

He said when the officers approached the vehicle, the driver and passengers attacked them, punching one officer in the face.

Fihla said while this physical confrontation was going on a security patrol service (South End Security Services) in the area witnessed the altercation and came to the officers’ assistance.

“They managed to restrain and arrest two males, as one male managed to flee with the Amarok bakkie. The officers called for backup, and the third male suspect was traced and arrested at his residence,” he said.

Fihla said the trio were detained at Moffat View SAPS and charged with assaulting police officials.

“The JMPD management condemns this savage attack on the officers and wishes them a speedy recovery,” he said.

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