Brazen abuse of power by riot police in Mogalakwena
20 January 2015
SAPS Nyalas and seven other SAPS vehicles blocked my path to the Mogalakwena municipal offices this afternoon.
Officers then proceeded to unravel barbed wire, preventing me from meeting with the Municipal Manager and other officials to convey the demands of the community.
One can only conclude that the SAPS were acting under the instruction of warring ANC factions who have previously sent the SAPS to remove municipality staff from their offices and assault PR Councillors.
Mogalakwena is ground zero for the abuse of power in South Africa, and it starts at the top.
Having walked the streets of the community with residents, I witnessed first-hand the non-existent service delivery in the area - from leaking sewage and dry taps to rubbish in the streets. Where are the riot police to defend them from this abuse of power?
The cowboy tactics of the SAPS have prevented me from fulfilling my oversight duties as a Member of Parliament and, more importantly, their behaviour has prevented me from addressing the serious concerns of Mogalakwena residents.
The use of police in Mogalakwena for political thuggery is unacceptable. This is what happens on the ground in communities when the powerful set the wrong example at the top.
The DA will not leave this incident here. We will be taking steps against the lawlessness at play in this municipality.
This is what we mean when we say "power to the people". Seeing this abuse of power today, it is clear that the playing fields are not level between residents and the powerful.
It is time that the people of Mogalakwena take back that power by voting differently come the 2016 Local Government Elections.
Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, January 20 2015
Images (via @JacquesSmalle) of SAPS preventing @DA_News from entering Mogalakwena Municipal offices #PowerToThePeople pic.twitter.com/7e0LA9kx8q
— Luyanda Mfeka (@Lu_Mfeka) January 20, 2015
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