Police deny that rubber bullets were used
THREE people allegedly injured by rubber bullets during a confrontation between the police and protesting residents of a village near Mahikeng say they plan to lay charges against the SAPS.
But police chiefs in the area yesterday denied that their members had been issued with rubber bullets.
They vehemently denied that rubber bullets were used during the incidents, but the injured people clearly showed rubber bullet marks.
"If anyone fired rubber bullets I can assure you that they were not from here.
"We do not issue those. Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa issued orders against the use of rubber bullets and we stopped issuing them," police spokesman Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
The residents of Mocoseng village near Mahikeng in North West were protesting against service delivery.
They claimed that potholes in their village's main street were damaging their vehicles.
They said that as a result of the roads taxi operators refused to service the area.
The three people injured in the protest are Mogomotsi Molotsi, 20, Obakeng Kabi, 16, and Kgomotso Nconcoza, 43.
They claim they were in their yard when the police started firing at the crowd.
Nconcoza wanted to know why the police had decided to target her and the others when they were not part of the protest march.
"It was dark and I asked Obakeng to accompany me to the toilet. The next thing we heard bullet sounds.
"Before we could run for cover, they shot at us," she said.
"We will be laying charges."
The angry protesters had demanded a face-to-face meeting Mahikeng executive mayor Lenah Miga.
The police confirmed that a man and four women had been arrested.
'Protesters' to lay charges
Police deny that rubber bullets were used
THREE people allegedly injured by rubber bullets during a confrontation between the police and protesting residents of a village near Mahikeng say they plan to lay charges against the SAPS.
But police chiefs in the area yesterday denied that their members had been issued with rubber bullets.
They vehemently denied that rubber bullets were used during the incidents, but the injured people clearly showed rubber bullet marks.
"If anyone fired rubber bullets I can assure you that they were not from here.
"We do not issue those. Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa issued orders against the use of rubber bullets and we stopped issuing them," police spokesman Brigadier Thulani Ngubane said.
The residents of Mocoseng village near Mahikeng in North West were protesting against service delivery.
They claimed that potholes in their village's main street were damaging their vehicles.
They said that as a result of the roads taxi operators refused to service the area.
The three people injured in the protest are Mogomotsi Molotsi, 20, Obakeng Kabi, 16, and Kgomotso Nconcoza, 43.
They claim they were in their yard when the police started firing at the crowd.
Nconcoza wanted to know why the police had decided to target her and the others when they were not part of the protest march.
"It was dark and I asked Obakeng to accompany me to the toilet. The next thing we heard bullet sounds.
"Before we could run for cover, they shot at us," she said.
"We will be laying charges."
The angry protesters had demanded a face-to-face meeting Mahikeng executive mayor Lenah Miga.
The police confirmed that a man and four women had been arrested.
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