JCPS cluster condemns violence in North West

Thursday, April 26, 2018

The Justice Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster has condemned the violence and criminality accompanying protests in different parts of the North West.

The province has been tense since last week with communities taking to the streets calling for Premier Supra Mahumapelo to step down.

There were reports on social media of shops being looted in places like Klerksdorp. Ambulances were also prevented from entering Tshepong Hospital.

In a statement on Thursday, the cluster spokesperson Siphiwe Dlamini said it is incorrect and unacceptable that people should turn to violence, loot shops and destroy property in the name of their demands.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the rise in looting and destruction of property, as well as all forms of violence. Such lawlessness will not be allowed to continue anywhere in the country.”

He emphasised that South Africa is a Constitutional democracy and its laws of should be upheld by all.

The cluster went on to urge all individuals involved in the violence to immediately to desist from the use of violence as an avenue for airing their grievances.

“We further call on communities to raise grievances within the bounds of the law. Those who decide to exercise their constitutional right to protest are advised to do so in a peaceful and orderly manner,” said Dlamini.

Law enforcement agencies have been deployed to the affected communities to work together with communities to ensure that the ongoing acts of lawlessness are brought to an immediate end, Dlamini said.

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) continues to monitor the situation on the ground throughout the North West province and deployment of security agencies will continue to be beefed up to ensure that people’s lives and property are safeguarded.

Meanwhile, Premier Mahumapelo has agreed to a request for a meeting with the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders to discuss what is currently happening in the province.

The meeting will be held in Sun City and a media briefing on the outcome will be held. - SAnews.gov.za