13 November 2015
P.2
EFF stands united with public violence accused
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P. 3 The EFF at Bela-Bela says that it will stand shoulder to shoulder with a group of people who have been arrested for alleged public violence. Photo: Justin Steyn Justin Steyn The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at Bela-Bela says that they will stand in solidarity with thirteen people who have recently been accused of public violence. The thirteen were arrested for protesting and allegedly committing public violence offences connected with the murder of William Moikanyane at Selokong in Pienaarsrivier on Friday, 28 August. The accused allegedly closed off the roads leading to Selokong and protested while the police attended to the scene of the murder.
The BEAT spoke to three of the accused about the incident. Johannah Moseamedi said that the community is fed up with a lack of police patrols in the area, and said that the police only attend to the area when massive incidents such as murder occur. “The police don’t patrol our streets,” she said. “When we have robberies, or incidents of domestic violence, they don’t show up. The community is tired of all the crime in our neighbourhood.” Raziema Molefe said that although she has not been a victim of crime herself, she is scared by the reports of rising crime. Jerry Lekala said that he would like to
see a reduction of police corruption and claimed that he has seen many police officers accepting bribes. Lekala said that there is a major division between the community and the police, and that the community has little faith in law enforcement. All three said that they have attempted to speak with the Bela-Bela Mayor, Lucas Nhlapo about the incident, but without results. The EFF at Bela-Bela’s Coordinator, Neo Moloko, said that the EFF is standing in solidarity with the group due to ‘political instability,’ which they say is causing the situation.
“It is clear that the ANC is not prepared to step in on this matter and we, as the EFF, are prepared to help these accused,” he said. Sello Mosweu, the EFF’s convener, said that they were going to provide legal assistance for the accused. “The people must know that the EFF is a small organization that puts the people first, and we will help these people with legal assistance,” he said. The thirteen accused appeared in the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 1 September. Their next appearance on Thursday, 26 November for formal bail application.