Policemen stoned in electricity theft arrest row

By Derrick Spies Safety and Security Reporter

TWO policemen were stoned by community members in Duncan Village near East London yesterday after arresting a man for trying to illegally connect electricity.

Spokesman Captain Stephen Marais said two policemen had been on patrol when they noticed the man climbing up an electricity pole, trying to illegally connect to the electricity grid.

“When the officers called him down and proceeded to arrest him, members of the community began to throw stones at them,” he said.

Marais said to further complicate matters, the suspect had tried to break free of the two policemen while they were trying to put him into the back of the vehicle, and had tried to grab the gun of one of the officers.

“A shot went off and the bullet went through the man‘s hand.”

Marais said both police officers had been admitted to hospital for head and facial injuries received from stones hurled at them by the community.

“We want to make it clear that the police are there to help the community, and if they see someone doing something illegal it is their duty to stop it,” he said.

Two cases of attempted murder had been opened and police would be investigating the attacks on the police officers. He said the man would appear in court on charges of resisting arrest and illegally attempting to connect electricity.