North West Acting MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Dr Magome Masike has dismissed media reports of alleged xenophobic attacks on Chinese businessmen by residents of Madibogo village in the North West Province as an exaggeration of a moderately tense situation.
MEC Masike condemned in the strongest term elements within the community that sought tofuel tension by misleading the community into believing that a 22 year old local resident whowas allegedly severely assaulted by two Chinese businessmen has since died in Bophelong Provincial Hospital in Mahikeng. The name of the local residentwhose nameis withheld pending his court appearance as counter charges of theft have since been laid against him.
He is recuperating from a broken leg and other injuries under police guard at the hospital after he was allegedly severely assaulted by Zhang Hoi (41) and En Cheng (28) after he was reportedly found stealing inside their shop last Tuesday.
Hoi and Cheng allege that the lad now a theft suspect hid inside the shop towards closure and was locked inside and discovered when the two returned to the premises. Both businessmen were arrested and appeared at the Atamelang Magistrates Court last Wednesday. They were released on warning to reappear before court on Friday 21 January 2011.
According to police, a crowd of about 400 residents gathered in Madibogo village planning to protest against the “killing” of the local. The crowd dispersed after they got assurance from the police that the local is still alive in hospital.
Whilst MEC Masike stressed any person who transgressed against the law should face the consequences of their actions, Masike appeals to the Madibogo community to exercise restrain and to leave the matter to the courts for the law to take its course.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo has assured MEC Masike that though the situation is tense in Madibogo, there were no incidents of attacks against any Chinese national, their properties and or businesses as reported in the media. Police are patrolling and closely monitoring the area and will do everything possible to safeguard the lives and properties of Chinese businessmen in the village.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 381 9171
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
