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Port Elizabeth police have called on members of the public to come forward and make official statements if they believe the conduct of police officers lacked integrity.
This followed a slew of allegations on social media about the conduct of officers involved in an accident in Ferguson Road in New Brighton on Saturday night while reportedly pursuing criminal suspects.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu told Algoa FM News that the police officers involved in the accident sustained injuries whilst arresting two suspects, who are currently in custody.
She said members of the Flying Squad spotted a vehicle that was believed to have been involved in a break-in at a business in Newton Park on Friday night.
She said the Mazda 323, which was reported stolen in Despatch earlier this month, was stopped in Mavuso Street in New Brighton at around 23.30 and the three occupants arrested.
Naidu said while the SAPS members were still busy at this scene, a white VW Polo, which was also allegedly involved in the Friday break-in, drove by.
She said one police vehicle chased after the car which sped away.
“During the ensuing chase, the VW Polo swerved in front of the police vehicle which caused the police vehicle to hit the boundary wall of a traffic circle in Ferguson Street.
The VW Polo managed to get away, but the police car had extensive damage.
Naidu said during the commotion one suspect who was in handcuffs managed to escape, but two of his alleged accomplices, aged 27 and 34, were detained for being in possession of property, believed to have been stolen
It was on this story where some people commented on Algoa FM's social media pages claiming that the officers had been drunk and that police had threatened people taking videos of the incident.
One post claimed that police had threatened to shoot an 80-year-old woman who wanted to fetch her grandson in the house and left without offering to pay for the damaged wall.
But, in a statement on Monday, SAPS said the officers involved are dedicated and hardworking police officers.
Spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, says one of them won accolades for his outstanding commitment and service to the citizens.
She says anyone who believes the members' conduct lacked integrity, are urged to come forward and submit an official statement so that the matter can be fully investigated.
Naidu also cautioned the public against publishing false information.
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