Police officials snapped buying beer in uniform

MOKOPANE – A POLICE official in uniform was caught on camera purchasing beer at an outlet in Mokopane on Thursday morning at around 09:30.

The police have maintained a heavy presence at the municipality to ensure that no riots broke out in the midst of the political squabbling between two ANC factions.

Residents led by the Mogalakwena Residents Association (MRA) were angry over the lack of service caused by the infighting and had protested vigorously over the past few months.

There was also a group of disgruntled municipal employees who were forbidden entry to the municipal building. This group, led by Malesela Selokela, also protested outside the municipality last week.

Complaints were received that the police were using unnecessary force to “restore order” when, according to complainants, the protest was peaceful.

People outside the municipality were fired at with rubber bullets and water cannons and some were injured in the process, according to Selokela.

Selokela claimed the photos of the uniformed police official purchasing beer so early in the morning were proof that the police drank alcohol before they started working.

Provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto, confirmed that the police official who was photographed was a member of the police in Limpopo.

She said the police took the matter very seriously and were investigating the incident thoroughly.

“Steps will be taken against the police officials involved,” she said.

Meanwhile, MRA leader, Thintha Mokhonoana said they planned to make Mogalakwena ungovernable until president Jacob Zuma came to Mokopane in person to resolve the political problems in the municipality.

Mokhonoana demanded Zuma’s intervention on Monday after the police allegedly shot and injured 12 people with rubber bullets at the Mahwelereng Stadium on Sunday.

He said members of the MRA and other residents had applied to the municipality for permission to gather at the Mahwelereng Stadium to discuss the shortage of water and piling up of uncollected refuse.

“We had permission to meet, but on our arrival at the stadium, the police blocked our way and started forcing us back.

“We refused to go away as our gathering was legal and they started shooting at us with rubber bullets. Seven people were arrested and 12 were shot and injured with rubber bullets. They were transported to the Mokopane Hospital for treatment. They were treated and went home but only one man was only discharged this morning (Monday),” Mokhonoana said. He added that one of the people who were shot was a man who was wheelchair-bound.

However, Otto had a different story to tell. She said both Mashamaite’s group and the MRA had applied at very short notice for permission to gather at the stadium.

“Because of the short notice, both groups were refused permission. Mashamaite’s group left the stadium on hearing this, without any problem, but the MRA group insisted on being allowed to enter and have their meeting.

“When the police tried to stop them, they threw stones at the police officials. The police returned fire with rubber bullets. No injuries were reported to the police,” Otto said.

She said since then, there had only been sporadic isolated incidents of tyres being burnt, but the police were in the area and monitoring the situation closely.

Cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs spokesperson, Motupa Selomo said the department refused to be intimidated by anyone and had launched a successful clean-up campaign in Mokopane on Monday.

DA parliamentary leader, Mmusi Maimane returned to Mogalakwena on Monday after he was kept from entering the municipal premises last Tuesday by ANC municipal officials and the police.

Maimane said the police’s actions were a brazen abuse of police power in order to defend ANC factionalism and corruption.