A SUSPECT seen on a video assaulting a police officer in Springs, Ekurhuleni, has been arrested.
The footage of the incident is currently doing the rounds on social media, and has left many people shocked.
Brigadier Brenda Muridili said the arrest came after a confrontation ensued while cops were doing a routine patrol on Tuesday, 20 December.
She said two cops on routine patrol came across five people drinking in public.
“When the police warned them about public drinking, one turned on the male officer. The suspect then fled the scene. Back-up was called and he was arrested later in the evening,” Muridili said.
She said the suspect, whose age was not identified, was charged with assaulting a police officer and would appear before the Springs Magistrates Court on Thursday, 22 December.
Social media users took to Twitter to express their opinion on the incident.
Bokang Mabaka said: “SAPS officers are scared of South Africans because if they act and defend themselves, they get victimised by us. They think hard before they can act when faced with such situations.”
Lerato Moabi said the cop handled the matter with care to stay out of trouble.
“If he took his gun to shoot him, some would say: ‘he shot an unarmed man’, with political parties calling for him to be charged with murder.”
