Speaker notes by the National Commissioner Riah Phiyega during her visit in the Tzaneen Cluster, Limpopo
Let me take this opportunity to thank everyone here this afternoon.
I wish to acknowledge the presence of Honourable MEC for Safety, Security and Liaison Mme Joyce Mashamba, the Executive Mayor of Mopani District Mr Joshua Matlou and the Mayor of Greater Tzaneen Municipality Dikeledi Mmetle.
I'm also joined by the Deputy National for Policing Lt Gen Sitole; Divisional Commissioner for Public Order Policing Lt Gen Mawela; Provincial Commissioner of this province Lt Gen Masemola and other senior managers from Head Office and areas.
I think it important that I provide some background so that we all have an understanding of how on Friday, 25 January, a passer-by in Mandlakazi village made a gruesome discovery of the body of 20-year-old Kgomotso Ragolane, a resident of Relela village. Kgomotso's hand was cut off and her house keys and cellphone were in her stomach. The police immediately set up a Task Team to investigate the incident.
On Saturday, two men, who we believed could be of assistance with our investigation were taken in for questioning and were later released. Shortly thereafter, members of the community went to the residence of the three individuals to burn them down.
Two houses were burnt and whilst about 1 500 violent community members were on their way to the third house, police continued with the intervention. In the process, a 15 year-old, Tshepo Baloyi, was unfortunately shot and killed with live ammunition. The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation by the Independent Police Investigate Directorate (IPID).
All firearms of the officers involved have been sent for ballistic testing. The SAPS has also initiated an internal inquiry to establish if all the necessary regulations were followed. I have instructed that this investigation be finalised speedily.
On Sunday, another suspect was taken in for questioning. During the questioning, the police discovered that the person was actually a wanted suspect on an unrelated matter where it is alleged that he was in the involved in the rape a 13-year-old girl in December last year at Relela village. The police are still questioning him about the death of Kgomotso Ragolane.
On Tuesday evening, the community of Relela took to the streets again, this time demanding that police urgently find the hand which was cut off from Ragolane as well as arrest the police officers who were involved in the death of Baloyi.
A preliminary report indicates that at around 5 pm, an angry mob consisting of more than 3 000 people surrounded the satellite police station in Relela village. The station was manned by about 20 police officials.
The mob pelted the station and the officers with stones and petrol bombs. In response, the police fired some 2 050 rounds of rubber bullets and 36 stun grenades. Some of the protesters went into the police station. During the commotion, police managed to arrest 9 people.
Fearing for their lives, some of the members used live rounds, which is believed to have resulted in the death of two community members. The building and some 19 police vehicles were damaged. 11 police officers were injured. They were taken to hospital for treatment and later discharged. They are currently being treated for shock. IPID will investigate the matter further.
Ladies and gentlemen, fact of the matter is police officers are human beings. Every live lost during police interventions is hurtful. No one should die during public protests. Our deepest condolences go to the families and friends of all protesters who lost their lives. We also wish police officers who put their lives on the line when carrying out their mandate to ensure law and order as well as protect the lives of others a speedy recovery.
I also wish to assure the community of Relela and the surrounding homesteads that we are doing all in our powers to get to the root cause of Ragolane’s death. The IPID are also doing their part in investigating the deaths of protesters.
We plead with the community of Relela to remain calm and allow the law to take its cause and pave way for justice to prevail. Our democratic government has made provision for every member of the community to raise his or her concerns in a peaceful manner.
We cannot afford to have a confrontation between the police and the people the police are supposed to serve. We strongly condemn the burning of the possible suspects’ houses. That is taking the law into one’s hands and we are pleading with the community members to refrain from such activities.
I must also condemn the damaging of police vehicles and the satellite police station as well as physical attacks on police officers. These are the resources the community requires.
Having said that, we cannot and we will not allow this type of criminal behaviour where people attack the police, damage both state and private properties, stop children from going to school and generally interfering with the normal lives of our people.
The interim report also points to some instigators who are mobilising communities in pursuance of selfish ends. I have instructed that the Crimes against the State unit of the Hawks come to this area to conduct further investigations.
A high police visibility will still be maintained in the area and we urge the community not to be angered by our presence in the area. Stability must be restored, children must go back to school and barricaded roads must all be opened.
Services will be restored at the damaged satellite because people must still be served. Law abiding citizens could not suffer the consequences of few individuals who chose the wrong path of venting their anger.
We will have to make use of the little resources at our disposal to fulfil our mandate of serving South African residents with dignity.
I thank you!
