Pretoria – North West Premier Thandi Modise has called for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate to investigate allegations that police were spectators while a man was being stoned by a mob.
“The conduct of the police should at all times be above reproach and deviant behaviour that suggests that some members of the service stood idly while a man was being stoned to death by a mob should be investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate,” Modise said.
“The police officials captured on the video that has surfaced should account for allowing lawlessness to take place and for the man to be brutally murdered while they were spectators to the horrific and barbaric incident,” she said, agreeing with Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo that those involved should be brought to book.
General Mbombo said the video presented contradicting information from the initial information that was received from the report sent by the station, which alleged that police arrived at the scene after the incident had happened and found the man already dead.
Boytjie Molefe, 34, was stoned to death by community members after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend Motlalepula Matlala, 24, in the chest after running away on May 25. She died at the scene.
The couple, who were allegedly breaking up, was buried by their respective families over the weekend.
Mbombo said people should allow the law to take its course, and not take the law into their own hands.
The Provincial Commissioner moved to assure the public that lawlessness would not be tolerated, and that those responsible would be arrested.
“The SA Police Service has systems in place to deal with police officers who do not take their jobs seriously such that a life is lost,” said Mbombo. – SAnews.gov.za
