18 January, 2003

Press Release

Another Joburg police officer attacked

Hardly 24-hours after the burial of one the Johannesburg Metro Police officers who died at the hands of criminals another was attacked with high calibre automatic rifles by a gang of suspected robbers on Saturday morning.

An officer attached to the JMPD Special Patrol Unit was fired on by a group of men travelling in a white bakkie in 5(superscript: th) Street in Brauma, east of Johannesburg. A substantial number of rounds were fire from AK-47 rifles on the officer but he fortunately was not hit. His vehicle's bonnet, windshield and engine were severely damaged. Indications at this stage link the attackers to an earlier robbery in the vicinity.

Since the launch of the City's hugely successful year round multi-faceted crime blitz "Operation Nude Ants" last August, criminals in the city appear to have taken another dimension. It is becoming more and more apparent that criminals target the members of the JMPD and this state of affairs should simply come to a halt. The message that criminals are sending us is that war has been declared on us! Our response is also just as clear; we remain ready to defend residents of Johannesburg and ourselves.

The deployment of officers in all major axis around the city on a 24-hour basis has significantly increased police visibility throughout the city and the irritation of criminals confirms that we are really hitting hard on them. After all, the objective is to make life for criminals very difficult.

This is due to be intensified. More attention will be given to crime prevention, By-Law and Traffic-Law enforcements. Four six-hour shifts are operational and 32 areas will be covered throughout the city on a 24-hours basis.

It should be known that when criminals make it their business to attacked men and women who work selflessly to ensure safety of others, they have made it clear that they have declared war on the society. That state of anarchy will not be permitted in the City of Johannesburg.

Attempts to intimidate us on our work are futile. We will continue to enforce the laws as per our public mandate with no fear, favour or prejudice.

Residents of the City of Johannesburg should take comfort in the knowledge that their police agency will not compromise on their safety and security.

ENDS.

For more information please contact:
Mbangwa Xaba
Media Liaison
Tel: 407 7226
Fax: 403 3494
082 467 9230
Or visit our website www.joburg.org.za