Following community protests in the North West, Police Minister Bheki Cele engaged the community of Danville, Mmabatho, on Friday.
The Minister, who was accompanied by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Baile Motswenyane, listened to the community's concerns ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s expected visit.
The President has convened an urgent meeting to 'lend a hand' in Mahikeng where protests against North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo have brought the town to a standstill.
“I am here to listen more than talk. The President, together with the Deputy President, will be having a meeting in the area at 12pm with the leadership of the ANC in the province to see what decisions need to be taken to make the situation better. After the meeting, the leadership will be able to brief you about the decisions of the meeting,” Minister Cele told the community.
In turn, the community told the Minister that the provincial government has failed them.
They emphasised that their protest is not politically motivated, rather they are pushed by the dire need for change and service delivery in the area.
“We are a community in need. We are in 24 years of democracy but nothing has changed for us. As a community we are asking the national government to intervene because the provincial has failed us,” said one community member.
Furthermore, the community raised several issues such as brutal force used by the police and other policing issues such as racist words used against the Coloured community.
Minister Cele made a personal commitment to return to the community within two weeks to address all other police issues that were raised.
“I will come back, sit down with this community and resolve all policing matters. As the police, we cannot allow our members to ill-treat the communities they serve. Working with the SAPS leadership we will sit and resolve issues to make our working relationship better. I take it upon myself to find a solution.” - SAnews.gov.za
