Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

Soweto police arrested eight people for public violence in Orlando East on Saturday.

Captain Nomvula Mbense said after a funeral, a group of residents gathered at a house and had an after-tears party.

Mbense said: "The people were spinning cars and making noise. Residents called the police and complained, that is when our members went to the area."

She said police asked the people to disperse in 15 minutes. But instead of dispersing they attacked officers with beer bottles.

Bereng Makhajane, who claims he was assaulted by police said: "I was on my way to the next street when I saw people gathered. I went to see what had happened and that is when a police officer insulted me.

"I also insulted him and I was thrown into a police van."

Titus Ndlovu said his son was one of the people arrested.

"He was shot in the waist and when he was discharged from hospital they arrested him. When I went to the station they said I would only see him in court," Ndlovu said.

Another man who was at the party said: "We were spinning cars an hour before the police arrived.

" People who were drinking on the streets stopped and went to drink at a tavern. There was no need to attack us."

Mbense said five people were injured in the incident. Three were discharged from hospital and two were under police guard at the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital.

However Mbense denied any of knowledge of fatalities following claims that three people died after the confrontation.