Six suspects arrested following trashing of Vodacom stores in Polokwane
This after people claiming to be EFF supporters invaded and vandalised two Vodacom stores at a local mall on Sunday
POLOKWANE – Six suspects have been arrested in connection with damages caused to two Vodacom stores at the Mall of the North over the weekend.
The suspects allegedly invaded the two stores on Sunday 2 December at about 11:50 and vandalised property with. The damage caused is estimated to be arond R 900 000.00, Police spokesperson, Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo says.
Read more: WATCH: Vodacom store in Polokwane mall trashed
The motive for this vandalism is unknown at this stage but police investigations are continuing.
“The suspects, aged between 25 and 45, will today appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on charges of Malicious damage to property. More arrests are expected soon,” he concluded.
This comes after the DA wrote to the speaker of Polokwane municipality, Mariri Ralefatane, to summon EFF councillor in Ward 13 Oupa Ramaphoko to appear before the ethics committee for allegedly being an accessory to a crime in the alleged vandalising of a Vodacom store in the province.
https://www.citizen.co.za/review-online/286555/eff-denies-trashing/
According to DA Councillor, Tiny Chidi, this contravenes the Code of Conduct for Councillors as outlined in the Municipal Systems Act of 2003, Schedule 1.
“According to the act, a councillor must perform the functions of office in good faith, honestly and a transparent manner and at all times act in the best interest of the municipality and in such a way that the credibility and integrity of the municipality are not compromised,” she said
The councillor allegedly used his vehicle to transport EFF members and participated in vandalising a Vodacom store at Mall of the North over the weekend causing damage to the value of R500 000.
“The DA acknowledges that everyone has a right to protest, but it must be conducted within the prescripts of the law. The right to protest does not in any way promote malicious damage to property. We have already added additional criminal charges against the EFF under case number 29/12/18 at the Polokwane police station on Monday and the DA urges the Speaker to consider placing the Councillor under precautionary suspension pending investigations by the police,” she concluded.
