PARKTOWN – The Provincial Commissioner of the Police in Gauteng has condemned an incident of assault and malicious injury to property that occurred in Willowy Shopping Centre in Garsfontein, east of Pretoria during the early hours of 11 December 2022. One of the suspects has since been arrested for assault GBH, malicious damage to property and crimen injuria.

It is reported that just after midnight, Garsfontein police received a complaint of assault and proceeded to the scene which was a few minutes away from the police station. Upon arrival, they found the victim, a 30-year old man and two suspects on the scene allegedly still continuing with their act of criminality. Since the victim was unable to give a formal statement, he arranged with the police to come to the police station later that day to give a statement. The police also arranged for the victim’s brother to come collect him. Other supporting statements and the necessary video footage were collected and registered as evidence.

Later that day, upon receiving the statement from the victim, the police immediately traced one of the suspects and arrested him. The other suspect is still at large and the police are looking for him.

A recorded mobile video of the incident has since surfaced on social media and the Provincial Commissioner would like to assure the public that the case is receiving the necessary attention.

The Provincial Commissioner has instructed that an internal investigation be conducted on the allegations that the members who attended the crime scene failed to act while crime was being committed in their presence.

The suspect, aged 42, will appear before the Garsfontein Magistrates Court on 12 December 2022.

Source: South African Police Service