CRIME SCENE: Athlone, Cape Town: The City of Cape Town has condemned an attack on metro police officers after residents pelted the law enforcers with stones during the arrest of a shooting suspect on Sunday April 12.

The Officers had responded to reports of gunfire at The Vlei informal settlement and arrested a suspect with a 9mm Ruger pistol and 18 rounds of ammunition. But the scene soon turned ugly when community members damaged two patrol cars by stoning them.

The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith said the suspect was taken to the police station but the damaged vehicles must now be repaired, stressing that such violence against law enforcement undermines efforts to create safer communities.

▪Data shows attacks on metro police staff have risen, with 52 incidents recorded between July 2025 and January 2026 compared to 43 the previous year.