Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise has condemned the torching of Rustenburg Local Municipality Speaker Boipelo Marekoa-Kodongo’s house in Freedom Park near Rustenburg.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday night, brings to eight the number of houses belonging to councillors and municipal employees torched during violent protests across the province in the past two months.
Premier Modise said she was encouraged by Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s instruction to police to swiftly arrest those behind the senseless criminality, including looting and torching of public and private properties.
“Those behind the coordinated violent protests to advance their personal interests should take responsibility for their irresponsible and despicable actions.
“Senior leaders fingered in orchestrating the violence cannot hide behind genuine community concerns while sponsoring anarchy. The commitment to oppose bail and stiff sentences for those involved in public violence should send an unequivocal message that lawlessness will not be tolerated anymore,” Premier Modise said.
Minister Mthethwa on Monday said that police have profiled those behind the lawlessness and expect to make arrests soon. – SAnews.gov.za
