Picture: (Amogelang Lekgowe with her baby, Leatile who was allegedly shot at by police during protest)
By BAKANG MOKOTO
Two month-old baby, Leatile Kegowe was allegedly shot in the eye by rubber bullets during #SupraMustFall protest at Ramosadi village, in Mahikeng on Wednesday. The members of the community embarked on a protest against lack of service delivery and torched a bus.
A minibus taxi was also torched in the process. Most local clinics are closed amid NEHAWU strike. The two month-long strike forced communities around Mahikeng to find an alternative for medical attention at Bophelong District Hospital in Mahikeng. One community member, Lentikile Modisane from Montshioa village said the non-operational of clinics causes unnecessary long queues at Bophelong District Hospital.
“We urge NEHAWU to have the interest of the people at heart. They have shut down Healthcare Centres simply because they demand the removal of North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo. Many people will die if there is no solution to the matter. The Health department must also be liable and open those clinics,” Modisane said.
Picture: A bus was torched during protest in Mahikeng
Some of community members said Mahumapelo must be removed because his administration is marred with fraud, maladministration and corruption.
Leatile’s mother, Amogelang Lekgowe (17) said: “My uncle, Kabelo Kesupang was holding my daughter in the living room, while I was busy making breakfast. We heard gunshots and I ran into my bedroom. My uncle saw blood coming out of the child and called me. We realized that my daughter was shot.
“When we went outside, we saw the police in our yard. My mother, Keneilwe Kesupang approached them and informed them (police) about what happened. However, they (police) just ignored us and walked away. There were three rubber bullet cases in the house and a broken window.”
Keneilwe Kesupang who is pregnant, said she was also shot in the stomach. Kesupang said she is worried because the rubber bullet might affect her unborn child.
“I am very disappointed after we were ignored by the police. They had no audacity to even take the baby to the hospital. We went to the streets with a bleeding child and the female traffic cops who were patrolling the area assisted us by taking us to Bophelong District Hospital.
“We were discharged after receiving medication. However, the cops broke the window and shot at us while we were in our own house. We will open a criminal case against the cops and take it from there,” Kesupang said.
Kabelo Kesupang (27) who was also shot at said: “The cops pulled me to the ground after I questioned them why they shot at us. I believe that someone must be held accountable for their unscrupulous behaviour. They also shot me in the leg at a close range because I questioned their motive in shooting us.”
North West Police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said: “One person was arrested for public violence at this stage. We are not sure what the cause of the protest was. One group alleged that it was because of service delivery and another said it was because of unhappiness about the Premier. No case/report was received by police regarding a shooting of an infant. We can confirm that no injuries were reported and it is against our policy to shoot people while in their houses.”
The high visibility of police is seen in the area as they monitor the situation.
The Guardian 