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It is with a deep sadness and anger that I have learnt of yet another City official who was attacked whilst on duty. The official, a JMPD officer, was shot in the head when he tried to prevent a minibus taxi from being hijacked in the early hours of this morning near Pat Mbatha Busway and Old True Road in Booysens. 

The 47 year old officer is currently in Milpark Hospital. 

This attack follows a week after an EMS ambulance was assaulted with a brick while tending to a maternity emergency. It is also two weeks after two of our officers tragically died when a drunk driver drove into them while they were on duty at a road block.

This criminal behaviour must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. 

As no arrests have been made following this morning’s incident, I have requested that the Chief of JMPD, David Tembe, and MMC for Public Safety, Cllr Michael Sun, use all means at their disposal to apprehend the suspect(s). 

This culture of lawlessness must end. 

As a City, we recognizes that policing is, first and foremost, a national competency, and that our national government is responsible for the country’s safety and security. However, we cannot stand by and do nothing as criminals terrorise our communities. 

It is with this in mind that I have placed my trust in the new Chief of JMPD to help bring law and order to our streets.

Chief Tembe carries an enormous task on his shoulders, as he must ensure that our law enforcement officials do not rest until every resident, official or visitor to Johannesburg knows that lawlessness, in any form, will not be tolerated.

Following the launch of operation Buya Mthetho, an initiative to bring law and order to Johannesburg, I am holding Chief Tembe and MMC Sun to account to ensure that laws are being enforced in our City without failure. 

It is only by holding offenders to account that we will be able to turn things around.

This said, it is not lost on me that our JMPD officers sometimes have to conduct their work in the most dangerous of situations. 

Therefore, I would like to use this opportunity thank our law enforcement officials for the brave work they do. I have also been assured that the Department of Safety will provide the necessary counselling to the family and colleagues affected by this latest attack.

Anyone with information pertaining to the morning’s incident are urged to contact the JMPD on 011 375 5911.

Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor
City of Johannesburg

Media enquiries:

Tanya Heydenrych
Media Specialist
Private Office of the Executive Mayor
081 4171 871​​