Cop bitten in fight

2003-10-08 18:29

Pretoria - A Hammanskraal policeman was bitten on the finger while trying to prevent a man found drinking in a school classroom, from getting hold of his firearm, Pretoria police said on Wednesday.

Sergeant Johannes Khoza and a colleague went to the Kanana Combined School on Monday morning to investigate a complaint, spokesperson Captain Piletji Sebola said.

"Two men were spotted drinking liquor in one of the classrooms. The teachers had to call police for help after attempts to get them out of the school premises failed."

They only managed to get them as far as the gate, where one of the two men, a 23-year-old, started chanting a song from the television series "Yizo Yizo".

The policemen tried to remove the two men from the school yard, Sebola said.

"The 23-year-old grabbed the service pistol from the sergeant's holster. A struggle ensued between the two who fell on the ground wrestling for the firearm."

Back-up was called after the 23-year-old became more aggressive, he said.

The policeman had a severe bite on his left forefinger while trying to keep control over his firearm.

"A male teacher managed to grab the firearm from the suspect during the struggle. The suspect was eventually overpowered and arrested."

He was expected to appear in court soon on charges of robbery, trespassing, the pointing of a firearm and resisting arrest.

The policeman was treated at the Eugene Marais hospital, Sebola said.

- SAPA