Citizens who have no regard for the law should not expect any sympathy from the public, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in condemning the stabing of a 38-year-old Klerksdorp police officer by a taxi driver on Saturday.
“Those who choose to undermine law enforcement officers and attack police officers thinking that their actions will be justifiable in the light of the criticism on police brutality should not expect any sympathy from the public. Police should not cower in the face of unwarranted attacks on them or look away when crime is committed because lawlessness cannot be the order of the day,” stressed Premier Modise.
In wishing the injured police officer a speedy recovery, Modise said the alleged actions of the taxi driver involved in the incident suggest that he could be one of those who think that police should be immobilised into inaction against lawlessness.
“The media article by SAPA on the incident suggests that the police officer involved acted in self-defence and within the confines of the law. We welcome investigations into the incident and hope that they would clear the police officer if at all the attack on him was unwarranted. While we are opposed to police brutality, we are equally opposed to attacks on law enforcement officers by taxi drivers and any section of our communities,” she added.
According to the police, the taxi driver was allegedly asked to stop after committing a number of traffic offences in full view of the officer, who was on-duty in a marked car.
The driver stopped the car and allegedly had a heated argument with the officer, which led to him taking out a knife and chasing after the officer.
“The taxi driver got to the officer and stabbed him in the back. The officer took out his firearm and shot a warning shot in the air but the driver did not retreat as he advanced to stab him again,” said Spokesperson of South African Police Service in the North West province, Brigadier Thulane Ngubane who confirmed that police are investigating two cases of attempted murder.
The officer then allegedly shot the driver in the chest. Police arrived on the scene shortly afterwards, and the two were taken to hospitals in the area.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
