Overview

• Video of the Kimberley CBD incident shows a man striking an on-duty constable as officers struggled at a police van.
• Other members of the crime-prevention team intervened and arrested two men, reportedly aged 20 and 21, at the scene.
• The suspects have been charged with assaulting a police official, resisting arrest, defeating the ends of justice, and malicious damage to property.
• Police say the constable sustained minor injuries, received medical attention, and is attending counselling with the SAPS Employee Health and Wellness unit.
• SAPS leadership denounced the assault as an attack on the state during the launch of Safer Festive Season operations, warned that interfering with officers is a criminal offense, praised officers’ restraint, and the policing union urged prosecutors to oppose bail.