Hoedspruit community violence leads to R4m damage

Provincial commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba, expressed his dismay and disbelief at the magnitude of destruction to government properties that took place on Monday, Bosveld Review reports.

“Community members are once again warned to desist from acts of public violence that leads to destruction of property and injury to people. The police will continue to hunt all those responsible for this destruction,” said Ledwaba.

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Photo: Limpopo Police

This follows police being called to the scene of violent protests in Finale village, near Hoedspruit.

Police spokesperson, Lt-Col Moatshe Ngoepe says violence erupted when the community of Finale Village went on a rampage and attacked a water project site contracted under the department of water and sanitation.

Protestors threw stones at workers and damaged equipment on site. One worker was seriously injured and the following equipment, cars and machines were damaged:

– A bus was burnt to ashes.
– The windows and windscreens of three bakkies were smashed.
– One bus’ windows were smashed.
– All the mobile offices’ windows were smashed.

Photo: Limpopo Police

– The windows of an excavator, front loader, a TLB, two bell tippers and four mixer trucks were smashed.

Ngoepe added that the storeroom where drums of oil are stored, was also burnt.

“All damaged items belong to the department of water and sanitation, and the estimated damage caused is about R4 million,” he said.

The injured victim was taken to a local clinic for medical treatment.

“The situation is now quiet, but we are still monitoring it closely. No arrests have been made as yet and anyone with information which can lead to the arrests of the suspects in this matter may contact Captain Cobra Moriri at 082 573 4773; the crime stop number 0860010111; the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest police station,” he concluded.

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