NDWEDWE — Two South African Police Service (SAPS) officers were rescued by private security personnel after an angry mob surrounded their police vehicle, barricaded roads and threatened to kill the officers following the arrest of a murder suspect in Ndwedwe on Tuesday.
Reaction Unit South Africa (RUSA) said it deployed both a helicopter and a team of Reaction Officers after receiving urgent reports that two SAPS members had become trapped while transporting an arrested murder suspect.
Earlier in the day, RUSA Reaction Officers Nathi Ndaba and Philani Mkhulisi tracked down a suspect wanted in connection with the murder of a 22-year-old man. The suspect was found hiding beneath a bed and was arrested without resistance before being handed over to SAPS.
Shortly after taking custody of the suspect, police officers were confronted by a large crowd demanding that he be released. According to RUSA, the mob barricaded access roads, surrounded the police vehicle and allegedly threatened to set it alight while killing the officers inside.
The SAPS members remained trapped for about an hour as armed individuals prevented them from leaving the area.
RUSA immediately dispatched additional Reaction Officers together with its Robinson R44 helicopter to assist.
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On arrival, the private security team secured the area, removed the barricades, rescued the trapped police officers and safely escorted the SAPS vehicle out of the community.
No injuries were reported.
The dramatic rescue was captured from the air by RUSA’s Robinson R44 helicopter (ZS-HXM), highlighting the scale of the operation.
The incident has once again raised questions about growing attacks on law enforcement officers in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the increasingly significant role private security companies are playing in supporting emergency incidents.
Police have not released further information regarding the murder investigation or whether anyone will face charges in connection with the alleged intimidation and attempted obstruction of police officers.
