Residents protest to the police station
Residents feel that, as law-abiding citizens, the police are not doing enough to protect them. "We are fed up with the management of the station; they have an interest in mining tenders in our area. We always see their cars stationed at the mines while criminals are roaming our streets," the residents alleged.
MECKLENBURG – Residents have once again called into question the abilities of the men and women in blue.
On Friday May 27, community members from Diphale and Seuwe villages marched in protest to the Mecklenburg Police Station, demanding the removal of station commander, Col Matsimela Chuene.
Residents feel that, as law-abiding citizens, the police are not doing enough to protect them. “We are fed up with the management of the station; they have an interest in mining tenders in our area. We always see their cars stationed at the mines while criminals are roaming our streets,” the residents alleged.
“The station commander is no longer working for the communities. He is serving the mines,” convener Mr Kenneth Mathe claimed.
“Our police officers are no longer combating crime, they only protect the local mines. When we hold peaceful protest marches to the local mines, the police fire rubber bullets at us. This is done to stop us from venting our frustrations,” said Edward Phasha, one of the conveners.
The residents pleaded with the Tubatse cluster commander, Maj Genl Masipha Maepa and the Limpopo Police Department to get rid of Chuene.
“We expect a response to our demands in seven days. Failure to do so, will cause us to forcefully remove Chuene from his post,” the protesters threatened.
The residents’ memorandum was accepted by Col Kamela Sekonya on Maepa’s behalf.
Among other demands from the protesters, the Mecklenburg police are to stop participating in community meetings with the Marula Platinum Mine.
Spokesman for the Mecklenburg police, Const Kgalake Mampuru said his station always did their jobs and even goes the extra mile.
“We are not taking any sides between the community and the local mines, it becomes a problem when protesters vandalise assets during strikes. We cannot allow this to happen. We arrest those who vandalise and are violent.”
Mampuru said the police cars seen next to the mines were kept there because they monitored the situation during protests.
It’s not the first time residents doubted the ability of Mecklenburg police’s management.
In September 2015, the paper published an article about Magakala residents who demanded that the station commander be recalled.
