City of Cape Town condemns the pelting of officers in Hanover Park

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town has urged Hanover Park residents to expose the gangsters who pelted law enforcement officers with stones on Friday.

The officers responded to numerous shots being fired in the area, but after pursuing a suspect, a local gang intervened.

The Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, said the city condemned the incident.

"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."

Hanover Park Community Policing Forum Secretary Yaseen Yohaar said those responsible were not from the community.

"We cannot say it's residents of the community. The majority of the community in Hanover Park is genuinely law-abiding citizens who care so deeply about this community that we live in."

Police say the circumstances relating to a woman being shot and injured during the incident are still being investigated.