On the outcomes of the meeting between the Premier of Limpopo and the South African Council of Churches (Limpopo)
The Premier of Limpopo, Mr. Chupu Stanley Mathabatha, and the South African Council of Churches led by its Chairperson, Rev. Awedzani Nemaukhwe, held a joint meeting on Tuesday 06th of August 2019 in Polokwane.
The meeting was convened in the wake of the killings of government officials and community leaders that we have seen in various parts of the Province, specifically in Tubatse, Thulamela and Mogalakwena Local Municipalities. Key amongst the issues that were discussed in this meeting, was the role that could be played by the entire civil society movement to help government, the law enforcement agencies in particular, to fight and root out these heinous and evil acts that continue to rear their ugly heads in our communities.
The meeting was unanimous in condemnation of these senseless, reckless and unacceptable acts that give an impression that in our Province human life is lately treated with disdain. The meeting was equally concerned that behind these clearly planned killings appears to be faceless forces with no regard to human life, a sacred gift that only God can give. The meeting also considered it only senseless and barbaric that some people would use violence and murder to settle their differences.
There is no doubt that Limpopo is generally a peaceful province. In this regard, the meeting has therefore declared that those behind these killings as enemies of peace who need to be isolated, brought to book and dealt with in terms of the laws of the country. We cannot tolerate a situation where a tiny minority of criminals is allowed to traumatise communities that generally embrace peace as a value.
It is against this background, that the peace loving people of our Province are called upon to rise up against the peddlers of these callous acts and voice their descent. Not anywhere in the civilised world could it be allowed that people serving the public get killed in the manner we saw in the cases involving Piet Pale, Lleka Lekalakala, Thabang Maupa, Timson Tshililo, Ronald Mani, Vaaltyn Kekana and Ralph Kanyane and yet still remain silent.
The meeting has therefore agreed that we need to stage an open conversation on building peace within and among the people of Limpopo Province. This platform will allow communities to express themselves on this spate of violent attacks with a view to help find a long-lasting solution.
We are also glad that the Executive Council of Limpopo, in its meeting yesterday, endorsed this proposal that we should convene a Community Safety Dialogue as a matter of urgency. To that effect, the MEC for Transport and Community Safety was directed to convene the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster and work together with South African Council of Churches, Traditional Leaders, Community Policing Forums as well as other organs of civil society to prepare for this provincial dialogue.
We are also agreed on a need for a constant and consistent interaction between the Provincial Government and organised civil society formations to share and discuss ways and means in terms of which our province could reclaim its glory days of being a peaceful province.
In the same vein, the joint meeting between the Premier and SACC welcomed the efforts made by the National Minister of Police in helping the provincial government to bring to an end these inhuman acts that have a potential to undermine the moral fibre of our society.
The Whistle-blowers are also encouraged to share leading information with the law enforcement agencies so that the people of Limpopo could return to normal life of peace and stability. Government alone cannot win the battle against crime. It is a societal problem, and it is therefore important that we unite in action to fight this monster that continues to afflict humanity today.
It is our firm belief that these efforts will go a long way towards strengthening the law enforcement agencies in their continued determination and commitment to find and bring to book the perpetrators of these heinous acts.
One life lost, is one too many. We cannot afford any further loss of human life.
Enquiries:
Kenny Mathivha
Cell: 082 450 1331
Rev. Lepichisa Mohlala
Cell: 082 547 6434
