Spokesperson for the Reiger Park SAPS, Sgt Mashudu Phathela, admitted that there is an upsurge in assaults in their policing precinct.
According to Phathela, the vast majority of the assaults take place inside or in the vicinity of taverns, mostly over weekends.
Phathela says that alcohol- and bar-related problems are among the issues the police are trying to address. He appealed to tavern owners to take appropriate steps necessary to prevent crime in their outlets.
These include prevention of fights or violence, possession of weapons and other illegal substances inside taverns.
He says that liquor traders who fail to take swift action against crime in their outlets put their businesses license in jeopardy of being revoked or suspended.
A patron suffered serious injuries after an alleged aggressive man stabbed him inside a tavern along Fish Eagle Street, Ramaphosa, on August 4.
According to a police report, the man was stabbed, punched and kicked to the ground after accidentally bumping into another man’s girlfriend, while he (the victim) was trying to exit the overcrowded tavern.
A second victim was badly beaten up in Jerusalem informal settlement on August 4.
Meanwhile a Joe Slovo informal settlement man suffered head injuries after his girlfriend hit him with a bottle on August 3.
The assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm cases were registered at the Reiger Park SAPS.
– @FanieBoksburg
