Northern Cape: In the wake of an expected city-shutdown in Kimberley tomorrow, the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison Mr Lebogang Motlhaping is calling on residents to exercise their constitutional right in compliance with the law.

The city-shut-down is expected tomorrow, 26 July 2018 in Kimberley. Our appeal is for residents to exercise their constitutional right to protest within the boundaries of the law and not damage properties in or around the city, disturb essential services or turn the protest violent.

Police visibility will be heightened and will continue to maintain law and order as per their mandate.

In accordance to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Section 205 (3) the SAPS is mandated to “to prevent, combat and investigate crime to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the RSA and their property, and to uphold and enforce the law”.
We, therefore appeal to residents to cooperate with all law enforcement agencies and to afford them the opportunity to do their work in accordance to their mandated functions.

All those intending to partake in the protest, please be mindful not to damage private, business or government properties and ensure we put the safety of other residents, especially our children first .

The MEC for Department of Transport, Safety & Liaison, Mr Lebogang Motlhaping strongly condemns the violent protests and looting that erupted in Kimberley as residents marched over electricity tariffs.

What started as a collective of residents that marched peacefully to raise genuine concerns with Sol Plaatje Municipality over electricity tariffs turned into a violent protest.

As a Department, we sympathise with the residents and the business sector and appreciate the planned protest action that was a legal march. It is unfortunate that the protest action however turned violent as criminals saw it as an opportunity to loot shops and damage business and government properties.

It goes without saying that the burning, looting and destruction of local businesses and government properties implies that service delivery and the livelihood of many people will be negatively affected. Government will also be expected to restore those services instead of improving and / or providing other essential services elsewhere.

We appeal to everyone not to buy stolen items but to report anyone in possession of such items to the police. We also call upon the leaders of the protest march, to contain the situation and work with us in restoring peace in the city.

Let us all work together with law enforcement agencies and as residents to restore peace in our beautiful city.
END.

 Northern Cape: In the wake of an expected city-shutdown in Kimberley tomorrow, the MEC for Transport, Safety and Liaison Mr Lebogang Motlhaping is calling on residents to exercise their constitutional right in compliance with the law.

The city-shut-down is expected tomorrow, 26 July 2018 in Kimberley. Our appeal is for residents to exercise their constitutional right to protest within the boundaries of the law and not damage properties in or around the city, disturb essential services or turn the protest violent.

Police visibility will be heightened and will continue to maintain law and order as per their mandate.

In accordance to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, Section 205 (3) the SAPS is mandated to “to prevent, combat and investigate crime to maintain public order, to protect and secure the inhabitants of the RSA and their property, and to uphold and enforce the law”.

We, therefore appeal to residents to cooperate with all law enforcement agencies and to afford them the opportunity to do their work in accordance to their mandated functions.

All those intending to partake in the protest, please be mindful not to damage private, business or government properties and ensure we put the safety of other residents, especially our children first .

Northern Cape: The MEC for Department of Transport, Safety & Liaison, Mr Lebogang Motlhaping is saddened by the death of a grade 10 learner who was shot dead on school premises in Batlharos.

The incident is regrettable and no form of violence or criminality should be allowed in our communities, more especially in our schools.

Schools are a place of learning and our children deserve safe learning environments without criminality invading and disturbing the learning opportunities of our children.

According to the SAPS, a teacher at Mokgolokwe Secondary School alerted the police of the incident. Police who were patrolling in the Batlharos policing area were dispatched to the school and upon arrival the 17year old Goitsemodimo Gaolape was declared dead on the scene.

As a Department, we deem the incident as regrettable and cannot be tolerated anywhere in our communities. We have requested the SAPS to speedily conclude their investigations on the matter and are also pleased with the speedy response of police as the suspect was apprehended and appeared at the Mothibistad Magistrate Court on a charge of murder on Friday.

MEC Motlhaping and Provincial Commissioner Lt General Peter Shivuri visited the family on Friday and conveyed their condolences to the family, friends and learners at the school on the unfortunate death of the young soul.

Let us all work together with the Police in ridding our schools of all forms of criminal elements and alert the police of any suspicion of unlawful behaviour or elements both in schools and communities. We need to reclaim our schools and communities so we can live and raise our children in safe environments.

End.

For any inquiries please contact:

Ms. Keitumetse Moticoe

Communications

Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison

082 064 7003, ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) 053 839 1700/836

Facebook page: Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison

Issued by the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison.

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