A man has been arrested following an alleged violent confrontation with police officers on a farm in Moorreesburg, on Sunday. He is accused of pointing a firearm at one officer and assaulting another.
According to Western Cape police spokesperson, Sergeant Wesley Twigg, police are investigating cases of grievous bodily harm and pointing of a firearm following the 18 May incident.
“The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation. We can confirm that an adult male was arrested and is in hospital under police guard.”
Activist and Director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organisation, Billy Claasen, welcomed the arrest.
He claims the man pointed a firearm at an officer’s head and later assaulted another while officers responded to a complaint.
Claasen further alleged that the suspect threatened the officers again later that day, at which time he is said to have been arrested.
“It is reported that police officers then used “minimum” force to arrest the suspect. He was subsequently taken to Swartland Hospital for psychological evaluation,” claimed Claasen.
Claasen has strongly condemned the incident and called for the full extent of the law to be exercised against the suspect.
While the suspect is already facing two charges, Claasen called additional charges to be added to the police docket including common assault, attempted murder, obstructing police in the execution of their duties and crimes against the state.
Meanwhile, Moorreesburg police are urging anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
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