Protesters shot dead
NORTH West premier Thandi Modise had to step in to calm a potentially explosive protest march in Tlokweng outside Swartruggens yesterday following the shooting to death of two protesters - allegedly by the police
The North West department of public safety said yesterday three people were shot during the protest on Monday.
Two died and another was hospitalised, spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said.
He said this emerged after government officials, including Modise, visited Tlokweng.
One of those shot dead was Dimakatso Kgaswane, who was killed on Monday afternoon when residents protested against ritual killing and perceived police inability to solve cases in the area.
The protests started on Saturday following the discovery of the body of Thabiso Moloi, who went missing on April 15.
The Moloi family said the police had failed to find him after they reported him missing and he was only found by residents a month later.
"They (the police) were useless but we are grateful that at last his body has been found," said Moloi's mother, Manko Moloi.
After the discovery, thousands of local residents embarked on a protest, demanding the expulsion of the provincial police commissioner.
During the protest, a tavern and a police minibus were set alight.
Police allegedly used live ammunition to disperse protesters.
Fearing the incident could further fuel the marchers' anger, Modise visited the area yesterday where she called for calm.
When Modise arrived she was welcomed by protesters carrying placards, some reading, "F. the police, they are useless" and "We voted for you to kill us".
Modise later addressed about 1000 residents who had gathered at Moloi's home.
She assured the community that those responsible for Kgaswane's death would be found and face the full might of the law.
"The guns of all officers who were here yesterday (Monday) have been confiscated in an attempt to establish who the killer among them is," Modise said to big applause.
Residents pleaded with her to hand the suspect to them so that they could deal with him, to which she replied: "We are here to help you and the affected family see justice being done in the end.
"Don't handle this matter in a way that might result in the suspect getting off scot free because the correct procedure had not been followed."
The Kgaswane family described Dimakatso as a hard worker who was loved by all in the community.
"I could not believe it when I got a call at about 5pm yesterday informing us that my daughter had passed on," said her mother Meisie Kgaswane.
"Who is going to take care of her three-year-old son because none of us is employed? It's a disaster."
JWW
@pivaan000 - Why the race thing again - The Police force are under controlled by ANC members under a ANC goverment they are responsible. They worked out the white policemen and replaced them with black policemen some of which jumped 7 ranks in 1 day because he knew the right people. If you want to be racist and bring race into everything the whites cannot be blamed - Look at the ANC and blame it on the blacks.Report Abuse
letsetse
Let there be peace God said,let there jobs and tenders for the pals the ANC saidReport Abuse
Bolander
Privaan, where on earth do you get this from. You are a mxxon and I can hardly believe you are capable of writing at all - one question - how can the riot police have "live ammunition" with them - this is looking for a disaster to happenReport Abuse
OleK
What is this country going to?Who in their right minds use live ammunition in quelling a public protest?This is just too painful sometimes. I wonder what the senior government officials including Bheki Cele are saying about all this kak...i think there's going to be time where we carry out justice as citizens because these fu*kn police officers dont seem to learn..We will start targeting them and their families and take law into own handsReport Abuse
Nicholaster
You had voted for humanitariansim government, everyone have a right, even a famous murderer has a right to be an anti-murderer. If you are in the dark, you really need a candle for light, Police have a right to shoot these stupid protesters, why, because they had voted to be shot or murdered!Report Abuse
Socrates
as long as there is poor leadership, communities will always try to solve their own problem because they lack confidence in those in the helm of leadership...ANC must learn from all these protest as a signReport Abuse
takoskonvict
The best thing you can do to yourself is to try your best to stay way from the cops. at the roadblocks, do not argue with them, just comply, do not try to be a hero, then you will live to see your grandchildren.Report Abuse
