MEC Masemola joins mass funeral, prayer march

Transport and Community Safety MEC Dickson Masemola on Saturday attended the mass funeral of seven of the 11 victims who recently died in an accident on the R37 at Chuenes­poort before attending a prayer march in the city later the same day.
Masemola was joined by several other role players such as Polokwane Executive Mayor Thembi Nkadimeng and Capricorn District Executive Mayor John Mpe at the funeral hosted at Mahwibitjane High School in the area on Saturday.
In his bidding farewell to the departed souls he took time to call on everyone to be responsible when using the roads and in life in general. He challenged communities to join government in the fight against crime and alcohol and substance abuse.
The march in Polokwane was hosted in conjunction with Manna Tabernacle of Witness and non-profit organisation Abigail Arise Women Empowerment to pray for and demonstrate action against social ills. Masemola urged attendees to join in the fight against women and children abuse and all other criminal elements.
On Friday Masemola also gave an address at the Police National Prayer Day together with Provincial Police management members hosted in Sibasa.
He took the opportunity to draw focus to major crime problems in the province, especially domestic violence and harassment which is highly prevalent in the Vhembe District. The prayer day mainly focussed on the safety of Police officials in the line of duty. A moment of silence was observed at 12:00 to honour and remember the 27 men and women who died in the line of duty during the 2018/2019 financial year countrywide.
The fallen members were commemorated earlier this month during the National Commemoration Day proceedings held at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.
Masemola continued with the safety initiative when he launched Operation Swara Tsotsi in Mankweng on Monday.
According to departmental spokesperson Joel Seabi communities in the area which are inclusive of thousands of students of the University of Limpopo have been troubled by various kinds of criminality for some time.
During the operation led by Masemola a total of 148 vehicles and 236 persons were searched, resulting in the arrest of 25 suspects and the issuing of 19 fines.
The arrested suspects were arrested in connection with offences ranging from possession of drugs, selling of expired goods, robbery, assault and contravention of the Migration Act.

Story: RC Myburgh
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