Community claims SAPS torched Nyala during protest

KHAYELITSHA residents have alleged that police officers deliberately set fire to their own Nyala armoured vehicle amid a violent service delivery protest in Thembeni and Empolweni on Wednesday evening.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

The unrest erupted around 8.40pm as community members took to the streets demanding electricity, leading to chaos when a petrol bomb was reportedly thrown at a SAPS vehicle.

According to Western Cape police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk, members of the Public Order Police were responding to the protest, where approximately 180 residents had gathered.

"Allegedly, the crowd was pushed back utilising a police Nyala. When the members were reversing back to Baden Powell, they noticed smoke inside the vehicle, and they jumped out of the vehicle and noticed that it was on fire.

Fire and Rescue were called to extinguish the fire. The members did not sustain any injuries," said Van Wyk.

He confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the burning of the SAPS Nyala are under investigation.