By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI
The North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane condemned acts of violence that erupted in Bloemhof on Wednesday night.
North West police spokesperson, Captain Sam Tselanyane said it is alleged that an unconfirmed number of Boitumelong Township residents went to the police station and demanded the release of five suspects who were arrested for assault.
He said the protesters allegedly pelted the police station with stones, but were eventually dispersed.
“A police officer sustained facial injuries after being hit with a stone during the confrontation with protesters, while damages were also caused to the police station.
“It was later reported that during the night, three houses belonging to police officers were torched and damaged. Of the three houses, one burnt to ashes and the furniture was extensively damaged at the second house, while only a curtain was burnt at the third one,” Tselanyane said.
He further said on Thursday, protesters gathered again in Bloemhof apparently with the intention of attacking the police station. Tselanyane added that the protesters dispersed back to Boitumelong Township after being addressed by the Cluster Commander of Pudimoe who will also be meeting with the community in the afternoon.
“The Provincial Commissioner sternly warned members of the community to respect the rule of law and to refrain from destruction of private and state properties such as police stations, vehicles and houses as that can have detrimental effect to lives and service delivery to the community.
“She raised a concern about attacks on the police who are there to maintain law and order including protection of those who protest. “The police will not tolerate any act of public violence and drastic action will be taken against anyone who commits crime,” said the Provincial Commissioner.”
He said although the situation is currently under control in the area, the police will maintain their presence. Tselanyane said motorists and other users of the N12 road are requested to be vigilant while driving between Christiana and Bloemhof.
Meanwhile, the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo said they have noted with concern the civil unrest taking place in Bloemhof.
Mamabolo said: “It is understood that this altercation is on the basis of this group of people taking the law into their hands by assaulting people they believe committed crimes in the area, clearly demonstrating that these perpetrators have not been willing to work with police in combating criminal activities.
“We appeal to community members not to take the law into their hands, condemn these unjust acts and want to call for calm and dialogue in the community of Bloemhof.”
He expressed that it is only through good working relations between police and communities that they can make communities a better place to live in, and no amount of attacks against each other can bring about any peaceful resolutions.
“We call upon the SAPS, community leaders and the relevant government officials to speedily attend to this regrettable eventuality which should never find expression in our neighbourhoods,” said Mamabolo.
The Guardian 