The MPs, Police Portfolio Committee Chairpersons Ian Cameron, Nicholas Gotsell, and Lisa Schickerling, had been conducting an unannounced inspection at the SAPS Philippi Training Academy. According to reports, their vehicle was ambushed on the return journey, with assailants hurling bricks and rocks. Windows were smashed and the MPs brutally assaulted. Gotsell and Cameron sustained serious injuries, while Schickerling escaped with minor wounds.

In a statement, the Presiding Officers expressed deep concern, warning that such attacks not only endanger public representatives but also undermine Parliament’s constitutional duty to hold state institutions accountable through oversight. They conveyed wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the affected members and called on law enforcement to ensure the perpetrators are swiftly apprehended and prosecuted.

Nicholas Gotsell described the ordeal, noting that a brick shattered the window next to him and struck his head, leaving an open wound. “Lisa was bruised and took a knock to the head, whilst Ian has sustained injuries which had to be stitched up as well as dental damage. We are all fine,” he said.

Gotsell stressed that the attack went beyond personal harm. “This was not just [a physical] attack. It was an attack on police oversight and the will of the people and their representatives to build safer communities. This was not a deterrent, it was a reminder of the aggression and brutality that our communities are faced with every day. We will continue to do the work we were elected to do.”

He also praised emergency responders for their swift assistance, commending SAPS, Metro Police, Metro EMS, CPI, and ER24. Special mention was made of ER24 paramedic Jason Pereira and his colleague for their professionalism and care under dangerous circumstances.

Parliament has urged calm while investigations proceed, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the safety of Members as they carry out constitutional oversight in communities across South Africa.

The post Parliament Condemns Attack on DA MPs in Nyanga appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Social Development MEC Jaco Londt answered questions about the safety of social workers during a provincial legislature sitting on 24 April.

Last year, GroundUp reported that extortion syndicates were targeting Western Cape Department of Social Development social workers. The Western Cape government asked the justice minister to classify attacks against social workers as an “offence against the state,” with harsher legal consequences. It also called for social workers to be recognised as essential workers.

Londt said if social workers are recognised as essential services, the department could get additional financial support from the National Treasury. He said the department put together a technical paper and working group to discuss the budgetary implications of such a reclassification.

The department also initiated several safety measures since last year, including removing government branding from cars, changing number plates, and sending more than one staff member into hotspot areas.

Hotspot areas for attacks include Khayelitsha, Driftsands, Crossroads, Gugulethu, Wesbank, Mitchells Plain, and sections of the N2 between Spine Road and Mew Way.

Terrence Manase, spokesperson for the Minister of Justice, said: “Attacks on social workers should be treated with the gravity they deserve. The proposal to classify such acts as ‘crimes against the state’ would require thorough legal consideration and possible legislative amendments. But the Ministry supports continued dialogue with law enforcement agencies and provincial governments to explore enhanced protection measures and stronger deterrents,” he said.

Makhaya Jezile, a member of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union, based in Khayelitsha, agreed with the call for harsher sentences for crimes against social workers. “If you hurt one social worker, you hurt the entire community.”

Jezile has had first-hand experience with extortionists. He was forced to move after criminals demanded a “protection fee” because he parked a government vehicle at his home.

Marina Marco, an auxiliary social worker, said she’s experienced four attacks, including attempted hijackings. She left Khayelitsha to work in Saldanha Bay, which she says is safer. She says she has been been robbed of three cellphones.

Attacks against social workers are “taken too lightly”, said Marco. “It was my choice to become a social worker. It was a calling for me, but the calling didn’t include me being in danger.”

Written by Matthew Hirsch for GroundUp and republished with permission. The original article can be found here.

The post Alarming increase in attacks on social workers appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

Onogu Nwaemeka,  Kelecho Oken, Ebot Kennedy,  Chijioke Steven, Charles Aknaji, Umemba Sophuru, Amajoyi Tochukwu, and Charles Okerie Onyedikashi appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court and were charged with malicious injury to property, interference with the law, assault, as well as public violence.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane said the men were arrested after they allegedly attacked the Kimberley Police Station as well as the members of the South African Police Service.

 “It is alleged that on the day of the incident, the police had arrested their countryman and they demanded that he not be apprehended by the police. Mayhem broke out as the police tried to contain the situation and the accused started to attack the police as well as damage the state’s property.”

“Specialised tactical police reinforcements were called and the eight accused were arrested.”

The matter was postponed to 18 July.

The post Eight Nigerian nationals in court for alleged attack on police station and officers appeared first on ProtectionWeb.