JOHANNESBURG - The SAPS says it will not give up its fight against gang violence even though Westbury residents attacked officers during an anti-gang operation.
The police were pelted with rocks and bottles.
The men and women in blue had to withdraw from the operation for safety reasons. Fortunately no officers have been injured and their vehicles were also not damaged.
READ: Police, Westbury residents clash at protest over water shortage
National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has condemned the incident.
He says residents complain about high crime levels and turf wars between drug dealers and traffickers, yet residents decide to interfere in crime combating operations.
SAPS spokesperson, Athleda Mathe said they have reinforced deployments in the area. She says operations to rid the area of criminal and gang activities continue.
READ: Endangered People | Gangs take over wild, wild, Westbury
"We are continuing with our operations and in the last 24 hours, shockingly, in the same community, two people have been shot and killed. We have arrested one individual that was also found with an illegal firearm," Mathe explained.
Mathe added that police will remain in the area and continue to stamp the authority of the state irregardless of challenges they face with the community of Westbury.