Police stoned, vehicle tyres slashed in Winterveldt amid community protest over illegal alcohol sales clampdown

There was drama on Saturday in Winterveldt when a group of community members pelted the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) officers with stones and slashed their vehicles tyres in a bid to prevent them from confiscating alcohol sold illegally at a shop run by a Pakistan national.

TMPD spokesperson Colonel Isaac Mahamba said the incident happened during a routine by-laws enforcement operation in Winterveldt, targeting businesses that are not complying with regulations. 

He said the officers visited the shop to enforce by-laws, but the owner and another man locked themselves inside, refusing access. 

The metro police had to call in the City's Emergency Service Department to help gain entry to the shop for inspection, according to Mahamba.

“During the inspection, it was discovered that the shop owner was selling alcohol and running an illegal gambling business without the required licenses. As a result, the alcohol was confiscated, and the shop was shut down,” he said.

The situation turned ugly as community members reacted violently, hurling stones at officers in an attempt to stop them from doing their job.

“As a result of the attack, three TMPD officers were injured, and TMPD vehicles were damaged by the stones, and tyres were stabbed with sharp objects,” Mahamba said.

As tensions rose, TMPD and SAPS Public Order Policing were called in to restore order, resulting in the arrest of four individuals - the shop owner, a Pakistani national in the country illegally, and three others who assaulted officers. 

“The suspects are currently detained at the local police station and are facing charges of malicious damage to property, assault on police officers, interference, and public violence. Additional charges may be added as the investigation progresses,” Mahamba said.

TMPD Chief Commissioner Yolande Faro slammed the attack as "barbaric and cowardly", vowing that the TMPD will not tolerate such lawlessness and that an attack on police officers is an attack on the State itself.

“We will not hesitate to take action against those who seek to disrupt the peace and order in the City of Tshwane,” she said.

In a separate development, the SAPS in Tshwane has intensified its efforts to combat crime, launching a zero-tolerance operation dubbed Operation Shanela. 

The operation, which targeted the Loate and Mabopane policing precincts, resulted in the arrest of 337 suspects.

Warrant Officer Marinda Austin, Tshwane district communication coordinator, said the operation forms part of the SAPS’s ongoing commitment to combating and reducing crime across the capital city. 

The operation was led by Tshwane District Commissioner Major-General Samuel Thine, bringing together a multidisciplinary team of police, immigration officials, metro police, traffic cops, and community safety representatives.

According to Austin, detectives led the charge in Operation Shanela, arresting 285 suspects for crimes including two for murder, one for attempted murder, 13 for armed robbery, and 16 domestic violence-related assaults. 

“The operation had four operational teams that were deployed to conduct roadblocks, compliance inspections, and crime-combatting duties. These efforts resulted in the detention of 40 undocumented foreign nationals, who were handed over to immigration authorities. A total of 878 persons and 343 vehicles were searched during the operation,” she said.

Police targeted crime hotspots, inspecting 17 liquor outlets and shutting down 12 for non-compliance. They seized over 657 litres of liquor, four illegal gambling machines, and arrested 14 for drunk driving and 10 for public drinking

Traffic officials also issued R25,250 in fines, cracking down on traffic offenders in Tshwane. 

Thine thanked all participating departments for their teamwork, reaffirming SAPS' commitment to safety in the city.

He said the SAPS is dedicated to ensure the safety and security of all Tshwane residents, stating that lawlessness will not be tolerated.

rapula.moatshe@in.co.za