South African police traded gunfire with angry crowds on Sunday as they arrested 180 suspects in two operations in a crackdown on crime including murder and drug-trafficking, state-run media said.
Police returned fire after they were shot at from a crowd of onlookers during an operation in which 25 people were arrested for public violence at Mankweng in Limpopo, the South African Press Association said.
A 14-year-old boy who was shot in the hand and a policeman who was hit by a stone were taken to hospital for treatment, Superintendent Mohale Ramatseba was quoted as saying.
Another 155 people were arrested for various crimes including drug dealing and theft in a separate operation in Galeshewe near Kimberly, Northern Cape police said.
Captain Tony Modise said the arrests followed a five-day joint crime prevention operation between police and a community policing forum.
“One hundred and fifty-five people were arrested following the operation while several items including an unlicensed 9mm pistol as well as dagga worth about R24Â 000 was confiscated,” he said.
“The aim of the operation was to focus on serious and violent crimes which include rape, assault and drug-related offences.
All the suspects would appear in court on Monday, the police said.
South Africa has one of the highest crimes rates in the world with about 50 citizens murdered daily. — AFP