Police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says a group outside the court premises is gathering in solidarity with arrested community members. He says this as 22 people were arrested in September and October 2019 in relation to various crimes, including kidnapping, assault, and murder. Mokgwabone adds the public order policing (POP) members are, however, continuing to monitor the situation in that area. On Sunday 20 October the police issued a stern warning to residents of Boitumelong, following threats of a possible shutdown today.

In February this year, at least seven schools and two health care facilities were shut down during when the police and angry residents squared off over the allegations of gangsterism terrorising the community in the area. Three houses belonging to local police officers were also torched and set alight while a fellow police officer suffered facial injuries after being hit with a stone following a squabble with the residents. Meanwhile, Mokgwabone yesterday urged residents to ignore the notice of unknown origin, as it is meant to cause unnecessary fear. He said this had caused great concern to the police in the province.

 

OFM News