Gauteng police confirmed that two suspects were arrested and charged with assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, after assault on traffic wardens were assaulted in Reiger Park, Ekurhuleni.
A video of Gauteng Traffic Wardens, also known as “AmaPanyaza”, dressed in full uniform, can be seen being assaulted by community members surfaced on social media on Monday.
In the 22-second cellphone video, community members are seen assaulting crime prevention wardens who are dressed in full uniform.
At the start of the video, a young man hits a warden with his fists and forces him to the ground. Another warden comes to his rescue.
A few metres away, another warden is being punched and kicked. Onlookers, some of whom attempt to stop him, are heard shouting at the perpetrators to stop.
Gauteng Provincial SAPS spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Mavela Masondo said it is alleged that on Sunday, a member of Gauteng Traffic Warden was picked up by his colleagues to go to work.
While they were on the way in Reiger Park, they saw a commotion that was happening on the street, and they stopped the vehicle to investigate. They were approached by a man who explained to them what was happening.
“While he was explaining, two suspects came running to the car and started assaulting the man, and crime prevention wardens jumped out of vehicles trying to stop the fight. Suspects turned to them and assaulted them. One Gauteng Traffic Warden sustained injuries on the right leg, and he was rushed to hospital.
“Later, the same case docket was opened at Reiger Park police station,” Masondo said.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has strongly condemned the attack.
“This incident is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in Gauteng. We call on the law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of this violence and anarchy to book. There can never be a no-go area for law enforcers while carrying out their responsibilities in our province,” said Lesufi.
The Gauteng Traffic Wardens are deployed on a 24/7 shift basis in different wards and crime hot spots under the supervision of SAPS, Gauteng Traffic and metro police departments.
Lesufi said the recruitment of the wardens has not only assisted Gauteng in responding to crime, but it has also helped in reducing unemployment among young people.
“These senseless attacks must be condemned and stopped. We call on all community members to work with us, not against us, in our efforts to fight crime in the province,” said Lesufi.
The chairperson of the portfolio committee on community safety, Bandile Masuku, said the unjustifiable attack on law enforcement officials who served to protect communities was a crime against the individuals involved and an assault on the rule of law. It also undermined the safety and security of all citizens.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s portfolio committee on community safety called on Lesufi and Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni to act swiftly against the community members involved in the assault.
“The committee stands firmly in support of Gauteng crime prevention wardens who risk their lives daily to maintain peace and order in the province, and believes that any form of violence against them must be met with the full might of the law.”
Masuku said the committee urged members of the public to assist the investigation by providing any information that could assist in ensuring that those responsible were brought to justice.
“This incident serves as reminder that attack on those who protect us cannot and will not be tolerated,” Masuku said.
The Star