FIVE suspects have been arrested for attacking the police in Freedom Park near Phokeng, North West on Thursday, 9 November.
Police spokesman, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone said two detectives from Phokeng Police Station were on duty and conducting investigations in Freedom Park when they were attcked.
The officers found a 51-year-old suspect wanted for assault. They warned the suspect accordingly and asked him to accompany them to the police station.
Sabata said: "The suspect allegedly blew the whistle and members of the community gathered at his place, locked the gate, tied the police officers with ropes and assaulted them with knobkerries.
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"The police officers were also robbed of their cellphones while the state motor vehicle was damaged. Subsequently, Public Order Police (POP) and Tactical Response Team (TRT) members rescued the pair. who sustained serious injuries."
Mokgwabone said the suspects, aged between 24 and 51, were arrested on Thursday for robbery, assault on police officers, aiding to escape and malicious damage to property.
The suspects are expected to appear before the Bafokeng Magistrates Court in Tlhabane on Monday, 13 November.
North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena welcomed the suspects' arrest.
He condemned the incident, which he said is tantamount to undermining the authority of the state and that it cannot be tolerated. He further urged members of the community to work with the police to fight crime.
