The Chairperson of the North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Human Settlement, Public Safety and Liaison, Hon. Mahlakeng Mahlakeng has expressed shock and concern that the police were at the scene during the mob justice killing of Mr Boytjie Molefe of Lomanyaneng village on the 25 May 2013.
Mr Molefe was stoned to death by community members after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend Motlalepula Matlala in the chest on the same day. She died at the scene. Hon. Mahlakeng said what concerns him is the fact that the police station that these cops who were allegedly at the scene are from Lomanyaneng station is a station that is always on the news for wrong reasons.
“It is unacceptable that the police, who are supposed to protect and make sure that citizens abide by the law, can watch while people are taking the law into their own hands. It is unacceptable, notwithstanding what the victim might have done, but the police are supposed to enforce the law,” said Hon. Mahlakeng.
The Committee is also waiting for a report from the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) on the progress of police brutality incidents including the cases of the late Mr. Tshepiso Nebe of Lomanyaneng village who was allegedly killed by police during a protest in the area and the case of Mr. Morgan Mohlala, a policing forum chairperson and court interpreter who was allegedly dragged for about 100 meters in a gravel road by a police officer in a police vehicle at Setlopo village.
All these cases are for the same police station. Hon Mahlakeng said the Committee will conduct an oversight visit to the police station in the coming week and also meet with the North West South African Police Service management to look into the conduct of officials in this station.
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