CoCT calls for info after law enforcement officers pelted with stones in Hanover Park

CAPE TOWN - Hanover Park residents pelted law enforcement officers with stones on Friday following a shooting in the area.

Mayco member for safety & security, JP Smith, condemned the incident, saying open defiance of the law cannot be allowed to continue.

Smith said that law enforcement officers responded after a ShotSpotter device detected numerous shots being fired in the area at about 9am on Friday.

After pursuing an armed suspect on foot, the suspect allegedly took aim at an officer who then reached for his firearm and opened fire.

Smith said that a woman was shot and taken to hospital but the circumstances around her shooting were not clear.

Alleged gang members then started hurling stones at the officer and the gunman got away.

"This is not the first time that bystanders interfere with officers in the execution of their duties or cause them harm. We highlighted a similar instance in Ottery recently. This is completely unacceptable – our staff put their lives on the line daily, in response to the pleas from communities battling with gang-related violence."

Smith has urged residents who witnessed the incident to come forward with information.