The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena warned that police will not tolerate anyone who takes the law into their own hands. This comes after Gregory Phatshwane (43), Kagiso Mokwalase (32) Tshepo Thipe (33) and Mosimanegape Sekhomba (43), briefly appeared in the Bafokeng Magistrate’s Court in Tlhabane, near Rustenburg for kidnapping and murder.
It is alleged that the accused kidnapped Ponono Sekgopi (43) from a tavern on 28 July 2024, in Phokeng after accusing him of burglary. They allegedly took him to Kotokoto Dam, where he was assaulted.
Kwena said Sekgopi was found dead by a passerby and informed the Royal Bafokeng Reaction Force members, who alerted the police. He further said the preliminary investigations led to the discovery of a Nissan Almera vehicle with blood stains in the boot.
“The accused were eventually arrested and their blood stained clothes were seized. We condemn the incident and urged the community to work together with the police through existing and recognised structures such as Community Police Forum (CPF), rather than taking the law into their own hands .
“The accused were remanded in custody until 6 August 2024,” added Kwena.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena said the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PROVJOINTS), which is jointly led by the South African Police Service (SAPS), the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and the State Security Agency (SSA), is confident and want to assure the millions of registered voters in the province that proper and adequate safety, health and security measures and interventions, are in place to enable the IEC to deliver free, fair and credible National and Provincial Elections 2024.
Kwena was addressing the media at the Provincial Disaster Management in Mahikeng on 27 May 2024. He said following months of preparations, the PROVJOINTS as the Operational component of the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS), has developed and is ready to actualize a Security Strategy and Operational Plan that coordinate and integrates all the resources, capabilities under one Joint Operational Command to create a safe, secure and conducive environment for the IEC to do its work and for eligible registered voters to exercise their right to vote without fear of violence or harm from human or natural disasters or threats.
“As committed and in line with the PROVJOINTS Operational Plan, officers and members are deployed to discharge their various elections related tasks starting with the Special Votes days at 1698 voting stations across the province for 136 639 walking-in votes and 43 526 home visits.
“The Provincial Joint Operational Centre (PROVJOC) is operating and coordinating Election Security Plan through five District JOCs, which have been activated and will remain operational until the IEC has announced the final results and officially closed its Results Operations Centre,” he said.
Kwena further said the Joint Operations Centres serve as Central, Command and Coordination points for the reporting of incidents or possible emergencies in order to ensure swift, prompt and coordinated response. He added that the Operational Intelligence Coordination Committee (OICC), has already categorised and identified the risks of the voting stations to ensure that there is constant monitoring of those considered to be volatile.
“The exercise also assisted in the number of proportionate static deployments needed per voting district / station. It is still important to emphasise that, despite all these preparations by the PROVJOINTS, without support and cooperation of all the citizens/inhabitants and political parties of mutual respect and tolerance and respect for the rule of law and specifically the Constitution of the Republic Bill of Rights the holding of free, fair and credible elections will be comprised.
“Let us remember that, all participating political parties have signed the Electoral Code of Conduct and a Pledge to abide by the Electoral Act. We are therefore confident that leaders, members and supporters are ready to work with the PROVJOINTS to make sure that the elections are held in a peaceful, safe and secure environment,” said Kwena.
He said while the PROVJOINTS is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring a safe and secure, conducive environment for the free, fair and credible elections, this is in fact everyone’s duty and responsibility as a patriotic South African and not the IEC’s or JOINTS task alone.
Kwena said the PROVJOINTS therefore calls upon all peace loving, responsible and patriotic South Africans and inhabitants of the North West from Dikgosi, Faith Based Organisations, Private Securities, Different Political formations and parties, the entire Civil Society and Community Police Forum (CPF) to work with the South African Police Service and other Law Enforcement Agencies to avoid unnecessary disruptions, violent protests and general lawlessness that may impede or jeopardise the 2024 National and Provincial elections.
“The PROVJOINTS is aware of and is closely monitoring the situation at identified hotspots or potential violence flashpoints where reports of attempts to influence or intimidate the community to stay away from elections and thus to disrupt or stop the elections.
“Any protest about lack of or poor delivery of basic services that result in, intimidation and threats damage to critical infrastructure, barricading of roads will be dealt with decisively by the police,” he said.
The North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena has condemned in the strongest possible terms the eruption of public violence incidents in Mahikeng. This comes after a number of community members barricaded various roads, including the N18 in Makhubung village and R503 in Danville in the early hours of today.
Kwena said the reports suggest that unidentified people torched a bus and a delivery truck at Extension 39 and Montshioa Township respectively. He further said schooling has also been disrupted by yet to be identified groups that removed learners from schools, particularly in Montshioa.
“The situation is currently under control and police in the Greater Mahikeng and Public Order Police (POP), are working hard to maintain public order. Barricades have been removed from most of the affected national and provincial roads to allow the free flow of traffic.
“We would like to request all law abiding citizens not to participate in violent and unlawful protests, which are characterised by criminality and meant to cause anarchy and unnecessary panic amongst members of the community,” said Kwena.
He added that, they also urge members of the community, including Community Police Forum (CPF) members to be the eyes and ears of the police by reporting instigators and anyone who incites violence. Kwena made it clear that the police will not hesitate to trace and arrest those who are responsible for these acts of violence.
“The police are maintaining their presence in the area. The police management noted with concern the tendency of public servants who fail to report for work under the pretext that it is not safe to go to work or schools, while workers in other sectors still report for duty with minimal or no serious disturbance,” said Kwena.
Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Mphata Molokwane said: “The department has been informed that recent protests in various sections of the province have disrupted teaching in some locations, as violent action has stopped teachers and learners from entering school premises.
“The protests in the Mahikeng area have already disrupted some schools today, especially in Mmabatho. This is an extremely significant time of year for all learners, but especially Grade 12 learners. Examinations for June are currently underway.”
Molokwane said these assessments help their National Senior Certificate (NSC) learners TO understand where their future stands as they prepare for the most critical exams. He said these protests are violent and they must remind protesters that their rights to free assembly, association and expression, must be utilized responsibly.
“The constitution also states that every child is entitled to a basic education. As a department, our primary priority is to ensure the safety of all learners and teachers, as well as the continuity of teaching and learning.
“We will take firm action against anyone who seeks to disrupt teaching and learning in our schools across the province and we will not hesitate to pursue criminal charges under the SA Schools Act against anyone who tries to keep learners and teachers from attending core activities of the day,” said Molokwane.
He said the department will, therefore, not tolerate any unlawful action that leads to the closure of its schools.
The Guardian 