Police forced to flee Westbury after angry residents attack during drug operation

Police officers from the Anti-Gang Unit were forced to flee from Westbury, Johannesburg, after being attacked by residents during a stop-and-search operation on Tuesday.

The officers were conducting a routine crime prevention patrol in the area, which has long struggled with gang violence and drug-related crime.

During the operation, police arrested a man suspected of drug possession. Soon after the arrest, community members began to gather.

According to police, the crowd quickly became hostile. Residents threw rocks and bottles at the officers, forcing them to call off the operation and retreat for safety reasons.

Fortunately, no police officers were injured, and none of their vehicles were damaged during the incident. National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola has strongly condemned the attack.

In a statement, he expressed concern that some members of the community are working against law enforcement instead of helping to reduce crime.“It is deeply concerning that the same communities who cry out about crime, drug dealers, and gang violence are the ones preventing police from doing their work,” said Masemola.

Westbury is known for ongoing turf wars between rival gangs and drug traffickers.

Many residents have long complained about safety concerns, shootings, and the presence of drugs in their neighbourhood. However, incidents like this make it difficult for police to operate effectively, Masemola added.

“These officers are risking their lives to make communities safer. Attacking them not only helps criminals escape justice, but also endangers everyone in the area,” he said.

The Anti-Gang Unit was established to target organised crime and reduce violence in gang-plagued communities. Officers are specially trained to deal with drug operations, gun smuggling, and gang-related activity.

Despite this, their work often faces resistance from within the very communities they are trying to protect.

General Masemola urged the Anti-Gang Unit not to be discouraged by the attack and encouraged them to continue their crime-fighting efforts.“I want to make it clear — criminal elements will not be allowed to intimidate or chase our officers out of communities. We will return, and we will do our job,” he said.

Masemola also appealed to residents to support police efforts and report criminal activity rather than defend it.

“We cannot fight crime alone. Communities need to decide whether they stand with the law, or with those who terrorise them,” he said.

Police say they are investigating the incident and may open cases against those who took part in the attack. The Anti-Gang Unit is expected to return to Westbury in the coming days to continue their work.