"It is shocking that a father would attempt to sacrifice his own child for the sake of delaying the demolishing of an illegal shack structure but thankfully the girl was saved," said the police representative.
A father living in an illegal township in South Africa has been charged with attempted murder after trying to throw his 6-year-old daughter from the roof of a shack in order to stop the officials demolishing the village.
Click to Gallery
"It is shocking that a father would attempt to sacrifice his own child for the sake of delaying the demolishing of an illegal shack structure but thankfully the girl was saved," said the police representative.
Video screencap
Other protesters could be heard egging the man by shouting, "throw, throw, throw."
Video screencap
About 90 shelters were built illegally at the Joe Slovo township in Kwadwesi and were ordered to be removed.
The emotional 38-year-old had taken the baby and climbed on the top of his house to protest against the place he is living, of an illegal township in Kwadwesi, near Port Elizabeth on South Africa's eastern cape coast, is being destructed.
At least half-a-dozen policemen lined up on the ground to be standby and one climbed up to try to talk him down while he dangled the baby girl over the edge by her ankle, before swinging her over the edge.
Video screencap
Video screencap
Other protesters could be heard egging the man by shouting, "throw, throw, throw."
The girl was thrown but caught by the policemen standing on the ground and, fortunately, she did not have any injuries.
Video screencap
Video screencap
About 90 shelters were built illegally at the Joe Slovo township in Kwadwesi and were ordered to be removed.
Police had been sent to the village to ensure the safety of the demolition team as 150 protesters because protesters began serious rioting, like throwing bricks and closing off roads with burning tyres.
The man threatened to throw her daughter to death if the demolishers did not retreat. Negotiators failed to calm him so a rescue plan was launched by police.
Video screencap
The man was arrested and the toddler was rescued finally.
"The 38-year-old father has been charged with the attempted murder of his daughter and the case is being handled by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit", revealed the police spokesman Captain Andre Beetge to local media.
"It is shocking that a father would attempt to sacrifice his own child for the sake of delaying the demolishing of an illegal shack structure but thankfully the girl was saved.
"The father will face the full force of the Law for his action."