The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers condemns with the strongest terms, the violent attacks and disruptions that erupted at the Mogalakwena Municipality in the Mokopane CBD since 18 June 2019.
This condemnation comes after an incident that occurred where a group of people, allegedly arrived at the offices and attacked the security officers guarding the premises. The group then forced entry into the Municipal Chambers and disrupted Members of the Council during a council sitting. A fight broke out between the two groups and during the process, several people allegedly assaulted each other and also damaging the doors of the Municipal Offices.
Five suspects, aged between 40 and 51 were arrested for assault. Two out of these five suspects, were released on R1000,00 bail each .The remaining three, were released on warning. All the arrested suspects will appear before the Mokopane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 20 June 2019.
The disruptions at this Municipality continued until this morning, 19 June 2019, where another group of people, allegedly mobilised themselves and entered the premises forcefully. They then threatened the security officers and forced entry inside the yard before closing all the gates. The police were summoned and swiftly responded.
Twenty suspects aged between 18 and 44, were then arrested for trespassing. They will also appear before the Mokopane Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 20 June 2019.
Following these violent actions, the Acting Provincial Commissioner visited this area for intervention. He sanctioned a thorough investigations into all these cases and he also assembled a special joint team to deal with the situation until everything goes back to normal. The Public Order Police Unit is still monitoring the situation.
Members of the community are warned to refrain from violent acts during any form of protest action where damage to property or injuries and disruptions occur. This Province will not tolerate any lawlessness and anyone who is still perpetrating these irresponsible acts, will meet the full might of the law, concluded General Scheepers.
Police investigations are still continuing.
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