Cape Town – At least 23 taxi drivers stormed the Witbank police station and attacked police officers, while demanding the release of a murder and attempted murder suspect.
The taxi drivers were arrested following the incident.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday last week when a group of taxi operators allegedly kidnapped and severely assaulted two men they accused of theft, said police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.
“One of the captured males, identified as Sfiso Dube, 29, unfortunately, succumbed to his injuries whilst the other one was admitted in hospital due to sustained injuries,” Mohlala said.
Cases of murder and attempted murder were opened and were being investigated by a team of experts.
“On Sunday, March 19, 2023, the investigators were led to a house in Witbank after obtaining information on the whereabouts of the suspect. Upon noticing the members approaching, he reportedly ran out of the house holding an object resembling a firearm, which he allegedly used to point at one of the members,” said Mohlala.
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The suspect was shot and sustained injuries to the lower body before being arrested.
“At that point, police learned that the object they confiscated from his possession was a toy gun. He was thereafter taken to hospital but later discharged. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) will further investigate the shooting incident,” said Mohlala.
The suspect was due to appear at Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday and more charges relating to the toy gun could be be added, said Mohlala.
Mohlala said “surprisingly, at around 18:00 on Monday, a group of taxi operators arrived at the Witbank police station in four minibusses and caused drama outside the premises”.
“They reportedly threatened the management of the station and further demanded the release of the suspect in the murder and attempted murder case,” he said.
When their demands were not met, they became violent and began to pelt stones at the police station, said Mohlala.
He said officers reacted and arrested suspects between the ages of 20 and 54 and charged with public violence.
The taxi drivers were also expected to appear at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday on charges of public violence.
Acting Mpumalanga police commissioner, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi condemned the attack on the police and warned people to refrain from interfering or distracting police as they performed their duties.
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
