Hermanus road closed by riot
2012-11-04 10:06
Johannesburg - A police officer was injured and a K9 Unit building set alight by a "riotous" crowd in Hawston, Western Cape police said on Sunday.
On Saturday the car two suspected abalone poachers were driving overturned and landed in a ditch while police were chasing them, Captain Frederick van Wyk said.
"Members of the public saw what happened and... started to throw stones and petrol bombs at the police. There were also shots fired from the community side at the police members," Van Wyk said.
Several private vehicles, including one owned by the injured police officer, were set alight.
A 13-year-old boy was shot in both legs. Van Wyk said it was not known how he was wounded. The boy was taken to the Hermanus provincial hospital.
Residents burned tyres and placed rocks on the R43, forcing the closure of the road.
The police opened cases of arson, public violence and malicious damage to property. The two men in the fleeing car, aged 21 and 27, were found with 55 abalone and 12 crayfish with a street value of about R2000. Both were arrested and charged with possession of abalone and crayfish.
SABC news reported on Sunday that the R43 between Hermanus and Botriver had been reopened.
- SAPA
