The City of Cape Town is offering a R20 000 reward for information leading to the suspects involved in the recent attack on officers in Hanover Park.
A law enforcement officer was injured on Friday in Hanover Park, following a violent confrontation with local residents. The officers were conducting a raid after the ShotSpotter technology detected gunshots in the township, pinpointing the location from a distance.
Officers were pelted with stones while responding to the incident. On the evening of Friday, 19th July, Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security member JP Smith returned to Hanover Park to plead with the community, emphasising that protecting staff is crucial for community safety.
A reward of R20 000 is offered for any information leading to the identification of the attackers. Calls can be made anonymously through the City’s dedicated tip-off line at 0800 11 00 77.
JP notes that within hours, leads began to come in. Under the cover of darkness, teams, along with the SAPS Flying Squad and the National Intervention Unit, returned to the area, identifying and taking four suspects into custody. The search for the perpetrators continues. Anyone with information is urged to contact the tip-off line immediately.
According to TimesLIVE Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, reported that metro police and law enforcement officers were dispatched around 9am to a call about multiple gunshots.
Upon arrival, they encountered an armed suspect who then escaped the scene. “One of the law enforcement officers pursued him on foot. The suspect turned around and took aim at the officer, who drew his weapon and opened fire.
“However, a group alleged to be gang members started hurling stones at the officer. He sustained head injuries and a patrol vehicle was damaged. The officer has since been taken to a medical facility for treatment.”
Bystanders seized the firearm used by the suspect and disposed of it before law enforcement could intervene. A resident who sustained gunshot wounds has been hospitalised, while the motive behind the shootings remains unclear. Smith noted that a comparable incident took place in Ottery, where bystanders also intervened in criminal activities.
“This is unacceptable — our staff put their lives on the line daily, in response to the pleas from communities battling with gang-related violence.’ ‘We cannot allow this open defiance of law and order to continue. The people who aid and abet these criminals are guilty of a criminal offence and should be treated as criminals.”
IOL took to YouTube to share the events:
