SAMWU Condemns Attack on JMPD Officer
13 November 2017
SAMWU Condemns Attack on JMPD Officer
The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) has noted with disgust the attack by church members of the Revelations Church of God in Hillbrow directed at a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Officer.
The officer along with his colleagues had impounded a vehicle belonging to one of the church members who had illegally parked the vehicle on the street obstructing traffic. Upon noticing the officers executing their duties, church members became irate and confronted the officer who retreated but the group proceeded to confront the officer.
It was at this point that the officer fired warning shorts in an attempt to disperse the group. However the group proceeded to disarm and assault the officer. The group has committed various criminal acts including, illegal possession of a firearm, assault and obstructing a Law Enforcement Officer from executing his duties.
SAMWU condemns this attack on the officer, it is further embarrassing that church members could assault an officer of the law unprovoked and while executing his duties. We commend the officer for having have shown maximum restraint and further wish him a speedy recovery from the shock and bruises which he suffered as a result of the attack.
JMPD Officers and other law enforcement officers are constantly under attack from criminals, it can’t be correct that the very same people who are supposed to be holding the moral high ground have also joined in on such attacks against law enforcement offices.
We commend the Johannesburg Central Police for having arrested one church member for the illegal possession of a firearm issued the the JMPD Officer. We further call on the police and JMPD to intensify all efforts to ensure that all perpetrators are arrested and face the full might of the law.
Issued by SAMWU Secretariat
Simon Mathe,
General Secretary
(079 887-8389)
Or
Moses Miya
Deputy General Secretary
(083 946 3391)
Or
Papikie Mohale
National Media Officer
(073 710 0356)