Johannesburg - Police Minister Fikile Mbalula on Monday vowed to clamp down on criminality in Vanderbijlpark.
Mbalula was in the area as part of the South African Police Service's (SAPS) operations as well as to visit the "drug den" where police officers were attacked by foreign nationals.
The minister, in his address to police officers as well as community members, called on officers to clamp down on crime in the area.
"There must be peace here. We can't co-exist with criminality here [in Vanderbijlpark]."
Mbalula at the "drug den" where #Vanderbijlpark cops were attacked. @IOL @ReporterStar pic.twitter.com/StwNg2c8Vh
— Khanyisile (@Khanyi_Seele) October 23, 2017
"Nigerians are welcome to live in South Africa but if they commit crime... we must run them down."
Mbalula also praised officers for the risks they took in carrying out their duties, vowing to reward their hard work and dedication.
"You're doing a thankless job and we appreciate what you do... we must jail these criminals," he said.
He also urged officers to maintain vigilance when carrying out raids at reported drug dens and brothels.
Mbalula addresses #Vanderbijlpark community. @IOL @ReporterStar pic.twitter.com/vT1tlsPKIE
— Khanyisile (@Khanyi_Seele) October 23, 2017
Mbalula was joined by acting national police commissioner Lt-Gen Lesetja Mothiba and the mayor of Emfuleni.
Mbalula's visit comes weeks after video footage emerged showing police officers being assaulted by a mob during a raid at a reported drug den.
In a two-minute video making the rounds on social media, a furious crowd can be seen attacking police officers while a deceased man is seen lying in the yard.
Police have since confirmed that a case of murder and attempted murder had been opened and that investigations were under way.
The injured officers, Mothiba confirmed, were still off sick following the incident.