Pretoria - Police in Limpopo have warned that they will not tolerate public violence during service delivery protests.
This comes amid concerns of escalating violence which erupted in Malamule, near Thohoyandou in Limpopo, this morning.
Residents are demanding to be separated from the Thulamela municipality and to have their own municipality.
They have barricaded roads with stones and other objects and looted local shops.
Seven vehicles, including a gallion and a truck, were burnt at a government satellite office. Offices have also been burnt down, while houses belonging to staff have been torched and windows broken.
Deputy Provincial Commissioner of Operations Major General Berning Ntlemeza has warned that there is no place for indiscriminate acts of public violence and criminality, and those found responsible will most certainly be brought to book.
“The police will not tolerate any opportunistic behaviour in cases where properties are damaged, people assaulted or any form of intimidation. Police will act decisively and toughly.”
Ntlemeza says they have already deployed additional SAPS members to assist the local station, including top-ranking officers, to take command and control of police operations. – SAnews.gov.za
