Police come under verbal attack for arresting drug pushers
EMPD and SAPS members reportedly came under verbal attack from a number of Reiger Park residents,during a joint crime operation in the township, over the weekend.
A spokesperson for the Reiger Park SAPS, Sgt Mashudu Phathela, confirmed the incident, adding that a line had been crossed.
According to Phathela, the attack came after both EMPD and SAPS officers arrested 11 suspects for drug-related crimes.
“Police officers were confiscating and arresting suspected ‘drug pushers’, when they were confronted by a group of community members who verbally abused them on Saturday, August 8,” said Phathela.
The abuse included name-calling.
The community members allegedly demanded the police release the suspects, while claiming that the police are targeting the users, instead of the drug dealers.
Another verbal confrontation took place when the group followed the officers to the police station, where they continued demanding that their relatives be released.
Phathela described the incident as ”disturbing and absolutely atrocious”.
“It’s shocking that officers came under fire by grown-up members of the community, who are expected to behave in a responsible way and to assist the police in ridding their community of dangerous and illegal substances,” he added.
“We, the police, cannot condone what has happened.
“We are warning all the drug dealers and users that we are out in full force and the community must prepare themselves for more drugs raids in the township.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that people in this community are protected against any illegal substance or activity.”
The Reiger Park SAPS recently arrested a 52-year-old woman at the flats, after she damaged a police van, following the arrest of her son, who was allegedly found in possession of drugs.
Phathela said members of the community who feel that the police are not conducting themselves in a proper manner when carrying out their duties should visit the police station to lodge a formal complaint.
Arrests made by the Reiger Park police between August 3 and 10 are:
Theft: 2
Assault GBH: 6
Possession of illegal substances: 15
Dealing in liquor without a valid licence: 4
Common assault: 5
Pointing of firearm: 2
Malicious damage to property: 3
Housebreaking and theft: 1
Intimidation: 1
Drunk and driving: 2
