Pieter Steyn – Volksblad – 9 April 2014 — Members of the local farm-community stood guard at the entrance to the town of Bloemhof yesterday. The situation in Bloemhof and Christiana where locals are rioting, got so out of hand that the national commissioner for police Ria Phiyega is visiting the area to investigate first-hand.
The rioting has claimed the life of 17-year-old Moleboheng Mokomele of Christiana. He was shot dead when he and a group violent demonstrations stormed towards a pub at the edge of town. The owner fired shots with a shotgun. Picture by Volksblad photographer Conrad Bornman.
Volksblad writes that at least three people also were injured and were treated at the christiana hospital.
The SAPS was not at hand during the shooting. Volksblad reports that farmers and business people are deeply concerned about the violence targeting the residents.
Rioters from Boitumelong township outside Bloemhof torned at least five trucks transporting sand, frozen chickens and potatoes. The trucks were turned over and torched. (see video) by large groups of youths armed with petrol bombs.
A truck driver also was assaulted during the riots and his legal 9mm pistol was robbed.
The SAPS task force from Klerksdorp arrived in Bloemhof to assist the Potchefstroom public-order unit and reinforcements are also called in from Bloemfontein and Bethlehem, Volksblad reports…
