Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety Cllr Michael Sun has vowed to use all means at the disposal of the City of Johannesburg’s law enforcement to track down people who disarmed and assaulted a JMPD officer on Sunday.

Speaking after the incident in which Officer Siphiwe Sebati is seen on video being mobbed by churchgoers in Hillbrow and disarmed, MMC Sun said this morning: “We’ll track down the culprits and bring them down to face the full might of the law.”

MMC Sun commended Officer Sebati, who has been discharged from hospital after sustaining injuries in the attack, for remaining calm and sticking to the core of his training.

“I know he can’t hear me right now because he’s still recovering from his injuries, but I would like to commend the officer for handling himself with the highest form of professionalism.”

JMPD Spokesperson Senior Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the attack took place when JMPD officials, one of them being Officer Sebati, were busy trying to tow an illegally parked car belonging to a member of the Revelation Church of God Church on Claim Street in Hillbrow as it was causing traffic congestion.

“Preliminary investigations show that the JMPD officer drew his firearm and fired into the air to stop the protesters from advancing toward him, but the crowd did not heed the warning and proceeded to attack him.”

MMC Sun condemned the incident and appealed to Joburg residents to be law abiding and help law enforcement agencies to maintain the peace. He also wished Officer Sebati a speedy recovery.

 

Issued by City of Joburg