Councillors in Lekwa Teemane local municipality have accused police of colluding with protesters in Boitumelong, Premier Thandi Modise’s office has said. “Modise was informed of the allegation that some police officials are brazenly supplying tyres to be burned as part of the violence,” spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said yesterday.
The allegations were made at a meeting yesterday between Modise, municipal mayor Moeder Makodi, councillors and police management held at the Bloemhof police station near Boitumelong.
Kgwele said the premier called for an in-depth investigation into who was instigating the violence so that they could be brought to book.
Modise said: “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.”
The protests began last week, with protesters accusing officials of nepotism and corruption.
On Monday, residents blocked the N12 and set alight a municipal office, community hall, houses belonging to the mayor, two councillors and two officials, and several businesses.
By Tuesday, the protest had spilled over to Coverdale in Christiana, where a community hall was torched on Wednesday.
