WATCH: Police stoned after trying to stop Makhanda street party

A pair of police officers were attacked by members of the public that were blocking the road, by dancing, and drinking in public on Monday, 14 June. Now, footage of the incident, which took place near a Makhanda tavern, has surfaced online.

Eastern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant General Liziwe Ntshinga condemned the incident and said an attack on police officers is an attack on the rule of law.

MAKHANDA STREET PARTY TURNS VIOLENT

The two police officers were patrolling D Street in Fingo Village, Makhanda, when they noticed a group of people dancing around a speaker in the middle of the road. The group was reportedly drinking in public too, according to Eastern Cape South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Brigadier Tembinkosi Kinana.

“As the police stopped to warn them against blocking the road and public drinking, they were met with insults and physical attacks, whilst being harassed to leave the group alone,” said Kinana.

“The unruly members of the community further obstructed the police from carrying out their duty to ensure peace and order in the area by even attacking them when returning to the vehicle in which the police were driving,” added the spokesperson.

WATCH: POLICE, VEHICLE STONED IN MAKHANDA

The Makhanda altercation was captured on cellphone footage. The video presumably starts after police asked the group to disperse. One of the officers is surrounded by several angry community members while his partner attempts to manoeuvre the police vehicle away from danger.

The police officer that is outside the vehicle is pushed and pulled and even thrown in the face with a stone before he manages to climb back into the vehicle.

“They manhandled police officers whilst others, hurled stones at the police vehicle which was consequently damaged,” said Kinana, whose account of the incident corresponds with the video clip.

The police officers eventually called for reinforcements and the two “instigators” of the violence were arrested.

NTSHINGA UNDETERRED

The pair of suspects – a man and woman aged between 28 and 35 – were detained in Makhanda and were expected to appear in court on charges of assault on police and malicious injury to property. “More arrests are imminent,” said Kinana.

Commissioner Ntshinga said the incident raised serious concerns about a community that does not respect the law.

“An attack on our police officers is an indirect attack on the rule of law and government,” said Ntshinga.