Fleeing motorist nabbed

A Johannesburg Metropolitan Police officer was admitted at Milpark Hospital with fractures to his right hand after he was bumped over by a motorist in a black BMW sedan on Eloff Street.
The driver drove away when stopped by officers, trying to evade a roadside check at corner Marlboro Road and Turffontein Road. He dragged a female officer for a short distance who was hanging onto his car in order to get him to stop.
He then drove away and was cut off at Webber Street and Eloff Street where he was arrested. The driver of the black BMW is currently in custody and appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrates Court today to face charges of Attempted Murder, Reckless and Negligent Driving, Inconsiderate Driving and Assault. As I have said before, the attack on our JMPD officers, is not only an attack on government but an attack on our efforts to return the rule of law in our City. It is an attack on the people of our City, who are desperate to feel safe in their homes, communities and streets.
“For years a culture of lawlessness was allowed to fester in our City and it falls to society, as a whole, to declare that ‘enough is enough’.
“I am pleased to note that other spheres of government have also joined our call to bring back the rule of law in our society and ensure that those who break the law suffer the consequences.
“On the same day as the attack, I joined the Minister of Police, Mr Bheki Cele, Executive Mayor Ekurhuleni Mr Mzwandile Masina, the new of head of the Hawks, Advocate Godfrey Lebeya, National Commissioner of Police, General Khehla Sithole and the Gauteng Provincial Commissioner of Police, Lieutenant General Deliwe de Lange, at the launch of Operation Buya Mthetho for the entire Gauteng region.
“Earlier this year, the City of Johannesburg launched Operation Buya Mthetho as a campaign, to restore the rule of law in our City to ensure we create safe communities for our residents, and I am proud to see the same change brought to the entire Gauteng region. I am hopeful that one day, this may become a national campaign as well.
“Operation Buya Mthetho has proven pivotal in the fight against crime in the City, crime against residents, as well as crimes committed against our police officers, who selflessly protect our City with their very lives.
“I would like to commend Chief of Police in the City of Johannesburg, David Tembe, and the JMPD officers for the sterling work they continue to do and for ensuring that law breakers are held to account,” said Cllr Mashaba.