Three people, including a minor, were allegedly injured during an operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS) to arrest a suspect for possession of drugs.
This is according to a resident from the Aurora flats in Stellenbosch Central, where the incident occurred.
Residents from Aurora flats in Stellenbosch Central threw stones and beer bottles at the Stellenbosch South African Police Service (SAPS) when they were chasing a suspect for drug possession, according to captain Nathalie Martin, communications officer at Stellenbosch SAPS. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony
The incident occurred on 3 May at around 21:00, after members of SAPS had been pursuing a suspect, according to captain Nathalie Martin, communications officer at Stellenbosch SAPS.
“Members of SAPS and Law Enforcement were chasing a suspect for possession of drugs,” said Martin, in correspondence with SMF News. “When SAPS members caught the suspect, he incited the community to throw stones.”
While community members threw stones and beer bottles at SAPS officers, the suspect resisted arrest, prompting law enforcement to fire rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, according to Martin.
The casings from the rubber bullets shot by law enforcement to disperse crowds at Aurora flats on 3 May. PHOTO: Supplied/Aneesa Jappie
Residents in shock
Aneesa Jappie, a local resident, claimed that one of the children who lives at the flats was injured by a rubber bullet that made contact with his hand.
“[I] was just inside, it was quiet and kids were sitting outside with [a] boombox,” said Jappie. “Suddenly, the kids started screaming and ran inside. One of the girls started crying, worried about her mom being on the side they [were] shooting.”
According to Martin, a case of public violence, possession of dangerous weapons, and resisting arrest was opened and is currently under investigation.
Children were sitting outside of the Aurora complex when shots were fired by law enforcement on 3 May, sending the children home screaming. This is according to Aneesa Jappie, a local resident. Three people were injured in the shooting. PHOTO: Casey-Lee Anthony
Many Aurora flats residents are elderly people, between the ages of 70 and 80, said Jappie. Residents were in shock as an incident like this had never occurred before in the area, she said.
Meanwhile, some residents claimed that one of the police officers entered the home of one of the residents without a warrant in an attempt to find community members who had thrown the objects at them.
“There is nothing on record, so this is all hearsay,” said Martin. She said that if people are unhappy, they should file a complaint with SAPS.