Police say they will not tolerate lawlessness in Westbury after members of their anti-gang unit were attacked in the area yesterday.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has urged members not to be deterred but to continue their work.

Police Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe says the anti-gang unit conducted stop and search operations when they found a man in possession of drugs.

But when they placed the man under arrest, community members started mobilising themselves and started throwing rocks and bottles at the police.

Mathe says members tactically withdrew from the situation to ensure the safety of the community that was attacking them.

“The community of Westbury have complained from time to time about high crime levels in the area. We have deployed the anti-gang unit to deal decisively with this crime, but it seems as though when police take charge and enforce the law, communities attack them. We cannot allow such a situation, we need the community to appreciate support and work with the police. We cannot and will not tolerate this lawlessness.”‘

#sapsHQ National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola encourages #AntiGangUnit (AGU) to continue to combat #gang violence despite attack by Westbury community.

On Tuesday afternoon at about 15:50, members of the Anti-Gang Unit were busy patrolling the area and… pic.twitter.com/1QItsVA6ub

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) June 4, 2025