AGU officers wounded by Lavender Hill mob, as suspects escapes
The injured police officers were taken to a medical facility for treatment while no arrests have been made.
Image: Supplied
Two Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) officers escaped with their lives after they were shot and attacked during a violent confrontation with the community while pursuing a stolen vehicle in Lavender Hill.
According to the Cape Argus' sister newspaper, the Daily Voice, a source said a tip-off was received that a Toyota Conquest was stolen.
A pointing out took place which led police to the BP Garage in Capricorn on Tuesday.
The vehicle was chased down Prince George Drive towards Lavender Hill.
The source said: “The members tried to block the vehicle and shot its wheels, but missed. The vehicle was chased to Mirby Road, Lavender Hill where it was then blocked off again and it nearly knocked over a SAPS member.
“Shots were fired and the vehicle came to a stop.”
Residents then gathered and started attacking the police by pelting stones at them. Cops were forced to leave the scene due to the attack while the suspect managed to flee.
The source added: “It was then discovered that two SAPS members sustained gunshot wounds.”
One officer was shot in the foot while the other was shot in the leg.
Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg said that Steenberg police station registered cases of attempted murder and reckless and negligent driving.
Twigg reports: “Following an incident on October 21 , at 6.25pm, in which a police Captain and a Sergeant attached to the Anti-Gang Unit were shot and wounded.
“According to reports the members were chasing a vehicle and were stopped in Mirby Road, Lavender Hill where the members came under attack by the community.”
The injured police officers were taken to a medical facility for treatment while no arrests have been made.
Steenberg Community Policing Forum (CPF) Chairperson Nicola Small said that while their thoughts are with the officers it was upsetting that police officers came under attack.
Small said: “What is equally upsetting are reports that police members came under attack from within the community they serve - pelted with stones while carrying out their duties. This behaviour is unacceptable and must stop!
“Parents, please take responsibility for your children. Teach them respect - for life, for the law, and for those who risk everything to keep us safe.
“We cannot claim to want safer neighbourhoods while allowing this kind of behaviour to continue.”
Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety Anroux Marais said she condemns the cowardly an brazen attack on the two cops.
The CPF said they were disheartened while cops were performing their duties they were stoned by the community.
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Marais said: "We cannot and must not allow criminal gang elements to undermine the authority of the state or terrorise our communities.
"I urge SAPS to use every available resource to track down those responsible and ensure that they face the harshest possible penalties. Hefty sentences must follow such crimes to send a clear message that attacks on police officers will not be tolerated."