The MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison Mme Florence Radzilani today visited the Village of Ntsako, Letsitele in the Greater Tzaneen Local Municipality after the weekend outbreak of mob violence which resulted in three casualties and five injuries. She was accompanied by the Executive Mayor of the Mopani district municipality Mr Joshua Matlou, the Acting Mayor of Greater Tzaneen municipality Mr Jack Sekgotodi and the Tzaneen South African Police Service (SAPS) cluster commander Major-General Maggy Mathebula.
This was her second visit in four days to the area after her first visit on Saturday immediately after the outbreak of violence.
On Saturday (16 June 2012) a tavern owner, Christina Shingange in the village of Ntsako was attacked by a crowd of people after she had alleged refused to serve alcohol to minors. During this attack, the tavern owner fired shots from her pistol resulting in two casualties and four injuries. The tavern owner was severely assaulted and is recovering in hospital.
On Sunday (17 June 2012) at about 11h00 Bethuel Nganyane, the husband to Ms Christina Shingange, was stoned to death and set alight by the mob of community members of Ntsako Village. He had returned to the tavern to salvage whatever was left of the stock the day before after the building was badly damaged after his wife had been attacked.
Three (3) police vehicles were also damaged during the two days that violence rocked the village.
Sixty-seven (67) Suspects were arrested in a police operation on Sunday. Today the ring-leaders of the mob violence handed themselves over to the police after being on the run for two days.
During her visit to the Ntsako Village MEC Radzilani and her entourage visited the scene of the weekend violence. She also visited all the three bereaved families in Ntsako (two) and Nkowankowa (one) to express the Limpopo Provincial Government heartfelt condolences. She also pledged government support through the district and local municipalities for the funeral services.
"You are not on your own in your bereavement," was the common message she communicated to the bereaved families. "The provincial government shares your pain and loss."
Speaking during this visit, Mopani district municipality executive mayor Mr Joshua Matlou made a commitment that a multi-pronged strategy will be employed by all spheres of government to normalise the situation in the area.
Peace and calm has returned to the village. The police will however maintain a presence until the situation has permanently normalised.
MEC Radzilani also appealed to the community of Ntsako to remain calm and support the police in their day to day law and order exercise, and that they should not take the law into their hands.
Enquiries: Molebatsi Masedi
Media Liaison Officer
Office of the MEC
Cell: 083 647 8818
Tel: 015 290 2912
Fax: 015 295 8979
E-mail: molebatsim@dssl.limpopo.gov.za
