By REGINALD KANYANE
Various political parties have put aside their squabbles and came together to condemn what has been happening in Rustenburg recently. More than six houses were torched during a fight against alleged drug lords in the area.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) provincial leader in the North West, Joe McGluwa said they call for serenity in Rustenburg after structures such as houses belonging to alleged drug lords were torched by community members. He said the frustrations of community members emanate from their complaints falling in deaf ears, while local police officers colluding with alleged drug lords and other criminal elements.
“The DA will write to the North West Police Commissioner, Baile Brenda Motswenyane to initiate an investigation into the allegations that police in the area are working with criminals and contributing to the increase in crime rate. In order to stem the tide of criminality in our communities, honest and well-resourced police armed with a pro-active and responsible crime-busting programme of action are needed.
“Violence will not solve the problems in the area, but will only deteriorate the situation even further. Our nation is governed by the rule of law, so we cannot allow citizens to take the law into their own hands by allowing acts of vandalism and mob justice to prevail,” McGluwa said.
He further said it is unfortunate that the absence of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the community has created a vacuum that has allowed mob justice and vigilantism to flourish. McGluwa added that the DA will continue to be on the ground to engage with community members and monitor the situation.
The African National Congress (ANC) in North West also shared the same sentiments. ANC provincial spokesperson, Gerald Modise said: “ANC in North West notes with concern the violent clashes that have affected the Rustenburg Central Business
District and other areas since this past Monday. The PEC is worried about the incidents that seem to have started sometimes last week in Boitekong, when one taxi driver was apparently mugged.
“We therefore call for calm and urge all members of the public in the area to allow the police to restore order and to give space to the Emergency Medical Rescue Services (EMRS) as well as the Fire Brigade to attend to injured community members and damaged properties.”
Rustenburg local municipality is currently working together with police and community members to bring tranquillity in the area. Municipality spokesperson, Thapelo Matebesi said these incidents of violence were sparked by allegations made by the community members that a certain police officer was caught earlier in the company of known drug dealers in possession of drugs at Rustenburg North.
“Community members accosted the police officer and the alleged drug dealers. Police reinforcements were called in, and the alleged drug dealers, together with the police officer were taken into custody. This irked the community members who wanted to take the law unto their own hands.
“Community members allegedly mobilised several taxi drivers which marked the beginning of a spate of violent attacks within some parts of the CBD. During this campaign of violence, all the premises within the CBD known for drug trafficking, human trafficking and prostitution were set alight. To date, ten properties have been razed by the fire. Although the situation remains tense, some level of calmness has descended into the CBD. The police are working together with the Rustenburg local municipality to quell further incidents of violence,” Matebesi said.
He added that the municipality fully understand the community outrage against the drug trafficking, human trafficking and prostitution.
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane said she condemn in the strongest possible terms public violence incidents that took place in the area. Motswenyane said they urge members of the community to refrain from damaging of properties.
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