PARKWEG POLICE PROBES SEXUAL ASSAULT, PUBLIC DISORDER, AND POLICE ASSAULT RELATED TO VIDEO ON SOCIAL MEDIA

By: Neo Ntsele

The Parkweg police are investigating several offences related to a viral video of incidents that took place between King Edward Street, President Boshof Street, and Park Road, Willows, in Bloemfontein.

At around 16:20, a woman walking on King Edward Street was assaulted by an unknown man.

It is reported that the man approached her, asking for her contact details.

The woman was not interested in talking, but the man behaved inappropriately, touching and holding her.

The victim's friend called the police for help, while a celebration was happening at a nearby car wash.

Community members who witnessed the confrontation detained the suspect and began to administer street justice.

When the police arrived, they observed vigilantism and took the assault victim to the police station for safety.

The angry crowd, demanding retribution against the man rescued by the police, turned violent, throwing bricks at police vehicles and assaulting some officers.

The crowd also hurled objects at passing vehicles.

The 27-year-old female victim filed a case of sexual assault and attempted robbery.

A case docket for public violence, malicious property damage, and assault on a police officer was filed due to the attacks by community members.

The final case docket opened was for violating the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000: failure to securely store a firearm, against the male suspect.

The 30-year-old suspect appeared in Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court today, Friday.