Senior leaders are instigating the spate of violence in municipalities and some police officials are conniving with protestors in Boitumelong and Coverdale Townships near Bloemhof, North West Premier Thandi Modise was told on Thursday afternoon.
In expressing shock at the deplorable allegations, Premier Modise called for an in-depth investigation that will ensure that those behind the violence are brought to book to account for their nefarious actions.
Modise was informed of the allegation that some police officials are brazenly supplying tyres to be burned as part of the violence at a briefing meeting with the Mayor of Lekwa Teemane, Councillor Motion.eder Makodi, councillors and police management held at the Bloemhof Police Station.
According to police, 136 people including a prominent leader have thus far been arrested in connection with destruction of properties and torching of houses of five councillors and three officials.
Police reported that more arrests of ring leaders are expected after cars belonging to two councillors and a municipal official were torched on Wednesday night in Christiana.
“We welcome that the court denied those arrested bail as it communicates zero tolerance to lawlessness and that there will be consequences for those who seek to plunge our communities into chaos in pursuit of narrow personal interests. No one is above the law. Those who touch our police should know that our communities and ordinary citizens are tired of games being played at their expense. We expect law enforcement not to take any prisoners and to ensure that those who seek to hijack genuine community concerns face the full might of the law,” Modise emphasised.
Schooling was affected at eight schools since the reopening of schools on Monday.
Police reinforcements have been called from other areas within the province and the neighbouring Free State province to deal with criminality.
The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport is to begin with clearing of debris and barricades as from Friday to normalise the situation and ensure that schooling resumes on Monday.
The Jaws specialised traffic unit is deployed in the area to direct traffic and if necessary escort trucks passing along the N12.
Meanwhile, five spaza shops were reportedly looted and torched in neighbouring Wolmaranstadt as violence spread to Maquassi Hills Local Municipality on Thursday.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
