A group of taxi drivers were arrested on Monday after they stormed a police station in Mpumalanga and demanded that a fellow taxi driver be released. The driver was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder after he allegedly assaulted two young men he accused of stealing from him.

ATTACKING THE POLICE

 According to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala , 23 taxi operators who went to the police station in four minibus taxis stormed the Witbank police station and demanded that a taxi driver who was arrested for murder and attempted murder be released. "It is said that on Monday around 6pm, taxi operators arrived at Witbank police station and caused a drama outside the premises. They reportedly threatened the management of the station and further demanded for the release of the suspect in the murder and attempted murder case," Mohlala said. He added that they the police told the group that it was not possible to release the suspect and they were ordered to immediately leave the station, but the group refused to do so. "Instead of leaving, they became violent and began to pelt stones at the SAPS premises. That was when members reacted thereby ensuring that all of them are arrested and charged for public violence," Mohlala said.

WHAT LED TO THE ATTACK ON THE POLICE 

Mohlala said the incident comes after the taxi driver allegedly kidnapped and assaulted two men accusing them of theft in Klarinet. Mohlala said one of the suspected thieves identified as Sfiso Dube (29) succumbed to his injuries whilst the other one was admitted to hospital. "A man was later arrested in Witbank in connection with Dube's murder. When he spotted the officers approaching the property, he ran out of the house holding what appeared to be a firearm and pointed it at one of the officers. That was when the police reportedly shot at the suspect, who sustained some injuries to his lower lower body. The 33-year-old male suspect was then arrested." Mohlala said. Mohlala added that the police only realised when they arrested the driver that the object, they confiscated from his possession was a toy gun. The suspect was taken to the hospital but later discharged. The shooting incident was referred to the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) for further investigation.

INCIDENT CONDEMED

Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi strongly condemned an attack on police. Mkhwanazi warned people to refrain from interfering or distracting police as they perform their duties.  "We cannot tolerate a situation whereby police officers are threatened to discharge their official duties. Drastic and firm action will be taken against such individuals. This country is governed by laws, and it will never happen that we allow lawlessness to take place. People who have information about criminality then they should report to the authorities" said the general.

 COURT APPEARANCES

 The suspect will appear in the Witbank Magistrate's Court today 22 March 2023 facing a charge of murder and attempted murder. "More charges with regard to the toy gun may possibly be added against him as the probe continues," said Mohlala. The 23 taxi drivers who are aged between 20 and 54 will also appear in the same court today on charges of public violence.