North West MEC for Human Settlements, Public Safety and Liaison, Desbo Mohono is saddened by the death of a youth who allegedly shot during skirmish with police in ongoing rioting in Tlokweng village near Swartruggens on Monday afternoon and wishes to convey her condolence to his family. Premier Thandi Modise and MEC Mohono are scheduled to lead an intervention team to address residents in the area on Tuesday at 11h00.
The Independent Complaints Directorate is investigating circumstances surrounding the shooting during which a police vehicle was allegedly set alight.
MEC Mohono and senior police engaged community leaders and structures in a bid to mediate for restraint for villagers to give the investigations into the alleged ritual murder of Thabiso Moloi a chance. The situation was reportedly tense but relatively calm on Tuesday afternoon.
A rowdy crowd has been burning tyres and blockading the village to force residents from either leaving the village to go to work or learners from going to school since Monday.
MEC Mohono had earlier issued statements assuring residents that police will not rest until those who are responsible for Moloi’s suspected murder are behind bars and another one condemning in the strongest terms incitement of violence, acts of intimidation and unwarranted torching of a house and a car belonging to a tavern owner by an unruly mob in Tlokweng.
Mohono’s assurance that police will not rest until perpetrators of the ghastly act are brought to book and appeal to residents to allow the law to take its course and come forward with information which might assist police in their investigations follows reports of incitement of violence during and after Moloi’s burial on Saturday.
Police also reportedly had to disperse a rowdy group of youth on Sunday that was allegedly marching towards Mochacho Dibelane’s tavern. Twenty-five year old Moloi was purportedly last seen at the joint on the night of the 15th of last month before his decomposed body was discovered by villagers in a bush outside the village last week Tuesday, 17 May 2011.
“Burning people’s properties and endangering their lives based on untested allegations is uncalled for and sheer criminality. Police will get to the bottom of the matter as they will not stand idle and watch misguided community members being manipulated into lawlessness by those with a nefarious agenda,” says Mohono.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel: 018 391 0420
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-mail: LKgwele@nwpg.gov.za
