Police respond to Marapong violence

LEPHALALE – Following the use of rubber bullets by police to disperse an angry crowd in Marapong, the Limpopo police issued a stern warning urging community members not to take part in illegal marches.
According to the Limpopo police they were forced to use rubber bullets after the protestors refused to disperse and demanded to march to the Lephalale municipality on 30 November.
Eight people were arrested and a number of protestors were injured during an altercation between the police and members of the Marapong Unemployment Forum when the protestors refused to disperse after they were informed that they would not be able to proceed with their unprotected march.
“Every person in South Africa has the right to protest, but there is a legal process that should be followed before permission is granted for a march. The rights of people to protest against the government or any other organisation should never interfere with non-protesting people’s rights to move about freely or go to their place of employment if they wish to,” said Colonel Moatse Ngoepe, spokesperson for the Provincial police.
Ngoepe defended the use of rubber bullets stating that the area in which the protestors were gathered necessitated immediate action.
“The crowd gathered in front of the Spar complex in Marapong where numerous businesses are operating and we had to ensure the safety of the property and businesses in that area.”
Ngoepe did not mince words when he refuted the claims that the Lephalale Station Commander, Lt Colonel Daniel Ramakgoakgoa, was protecting Lephalale Mayor Jack Maeko. “As the police we have to protect everybody in the community and this includes the mayor. The allegations that the Station Commander has shares in the municipality is absolutely untrue and people who make these claims should remember that Ramakgoakgoa is not acting in his personal capacity but as part of the police as a whole.”
Meanwhile, the human rights group Right 2 Know has spoken out about the police action. “We condemn the repression of protest actions and community organisations who are struggling to ensure greater democratic control, transparency and accountability over development projects, which are meant to benefit the poor.”
Irene Mosima (37), Baleseng Seleme (32), Matome Seanehgo (23), Thabo Ralwendhza (30), Andries Mocheko (34), Alice Seleka (31), Richard Ramachela (31) and Samuel Laka (34) appeared in the Lephalale magistrate court on Friday on charges of inciting public violence. Attorney Sherilyn Naidoo, acting on behalf of Right 2 Protest, represented the accused who were granted R300 bail each. The case was postponed to 1 February.