N West ANC condemns protest deaths

An ANC supporter holds a flag of the ANC while the President Jacob Zuma addresses ANC Gauteng Cadre Assembly in Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe

An ANC supporter holds a flag of the ANC while the President Jacob Zuma addresses ANC Gauteng Cadre Assembly in Pretoria. Picture: Phill Magakoe

Published Jan 14, 2014

Share

Mothutlung - The killing of two protesters, allegedly by police, in Brits, North West, should be swiftly investigated, the ANC said on Tuesday.

“The African National Congress in North West condemns the gruesome killing of two protesters in Mothutlung, outside Brits, yesterday, January 13,” provincial secretary Dakota Legoete said in a statement.

It called on the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to probe the deaths and the police's role in them.

Residents of Mothutlung, near Brits, started protesting on Sunday afternoon about a water shortage. Police were called to monitor them after they barricaded a road with burning tyres. There was an altercation between protesters and the police, during which two protesters were shot dead on Monday.

Legoete said while the right to protest was protected by the Constitution, the party called on communities not to destroy private and public property.

“We call on our communities to desist from any acts of intimidation, violence and crime when engaged in such protests. Such protest must be conducted within the confines of the law.”

The ruling party called on the Madibeng municipality and provincial government to provide clean water to Mothutlung residents. The cause of the area's water scarcity and a permanent solution to the problem needed to be found.

“The people of Mothutlung like any other citizens of our country have the right to access clean and safe drinking water. The Madibeng municipality must do everything possible to ensure that water is provided to the people of the area, regardless of the water challenges in the Madibeng sub-region.”

Sapa

Related Topics: