MOKOPANE – Public Order Police have been deployed to Mokopane to monitor the area around the Mogalakwena Municipality’s premises following violent attacks and disruptions on Tuesday, 18 June and today, 19 June.
Police spokesperson, Col Moatshe Ngoepe reports that a group of people arrived at the offices on Tuesday and attacked the security officers guarding the premises. The group then forced entry into the Municipal Chambers and disrupted members of the Council during a council sitting.
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“A fight broke out between the two groups and during the process, several people allegedly assaulted each other and damaged the doors of the Municipal Offices,” he said.
Five suspects in this matter, aged between 40 and 51-years-old were arrested for assault cases. “Two out of the five suspects were released on R1000 bail each and the remaining three were released on warning.”
Ngoepe added that disruptions continued to this morning when another group of people forcefully entered the premises and threatened security officers before closing all the gates. Police were then summoned and swiftly responded.
“Twenty suspects, between the ages of 18 and 44-years-old were arrested for trespassing. All 25 suspects are expected to appear before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 20 June.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Major General Jan Scheepers has condemned the violent attacks and disruptions and visited the area for intervention. He has since, sanctioned thorough investigations into all these cases and has also assembled a special joint team to deal with the situation until everything goes back to normal.
“Communities are warned to refrain from violent acts during any form of protest action where damage to property or injuries and disruptions occur. This province will not tolerate any lawlessness and anyone who is still perpetrating these irresponsible acts will meet the full might of the law,” concluded General Scheepers.
