Three injured in Praktiseer protest action
Three people sustained horrific injuries in violent demonstrations in Praktiseer on Tuesday, while three others escaped with minor wounds
Residents claimed that police used live ammunition to disperse community members who gathered at the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court.
Residents were protesting the violent crimes in the area. A man was stabbed to death a fortnight ago by an alleged gang operating in the community.
Residents told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that a gang, known as the Die Hard, has been terrorising the community for years, killing, robbing and raping.
“We are fed up with the gang. They have committed violent crimes in Praktiseer and neighbouring communities. The police are not doing enough to curb the crime in our area. The gang members are arrested and released within a few days, and we become the victims of crime,” said an angry resident.
Limpopo SAPS spokesman, Col Moatshe Ngoepe, said 26 suspects of the gang appeared in the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court in connection to the murder case on Tuesday and were denied bail.
“We have also arrested 21 suspects aged between the ages of 18 and 51 for public violence. The arrests emanate from the violent protests which erupted on August 14. The local communities blocked the roads and later marched to the Praktiseer Magistrate’s Court. The protesters were demanding that the murder suspects be denied bail. The suspects will soon appear in court,” said Ngoepe.
Ngoepe said public order police officers have been deployed in the area and the situation has been stabilised. He emphasised that there was no live ammunition used in dispersing the crowd. He said rubber bullets and tear gas were utilised.
Limpopo SAPS’ acting provincial commissioner, Maj Gen Jan Scheepers, condemned the violent nature of the protests. He said they infringe on the rights of other members of society.
On Wednesday morning the roads were still blocked with burning tyres, stones and other debris. A helicopter was also seen hovering over the area.
The blockading of the roads resulted in most people failing to report for duty. Shops were also closed in the area. Government departments such as Sassa, clinics, Department of Education offices, schools, shops and the traffic department were affected by the protests.
