North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the violence that is brewing in Setlagole village near Mahikeng and appealed for calm in the area.
“We appeal to the residents of Setlagole to desist from taking the law into their own hands. We appeal for calmness in the area so that the law can take its course unhindered,” said Premier Modise.
This after several properties of alleged child kidnappers and two shebeens were reportedly set alight by a group of angry residents.
Police say that shops belonging to foreign nationals were also looted.
This follows an alleged kidnap of a 7-year-old boy earlier this month in what residents believed to be a muti-related incident.
The residents were apparently angry that no arrests have been made so far.
Modise says it is uncalled for, for residents to destroy properties as it is an unlawful act that will not lead to a solution but more arrests.
“We wish to urge to the community to support police in their investigations. Although we understand that thorough investigations sometimes take time, we also appeal to the police to get to the bottom of the disappearance of children as speedily as possible. If anyone is dissatisfied with the probe there are other processes that can be followed rather than resorting to violence,” cautioned the Premier.
Modise said the province was steadfast in resuscitating noble values through the Social Cohesion and Moral Regeneration Programme in order to address many of the social ills that continue to trouble the province and the country at large.
“We must therefore refuse to be unnecessarily drawn into belligerent acts that will undermine this important nation-building project that seeks to build a society that is free, just and fair and that lives in tranquillity, free from current social ills. That’s the North-West and the South Africa that we want to see,” added Modise.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Spokesperson)
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
