Community of Zone 20 Declares War on Corrupt Police and crime in their community
Friday 20 March 2009 by Nic
After a community meeting that was held yesterday by the residents of Sebokeng Zone 20 called by the Radical Youth Network (RYN), the police again arrested a community member Malefafane “Search” Letsele. He was arrested for an incident that happened on the 17th March 2009, when members of the community visited the house of the Community Police Forum (CPF) patrol officer, Thulani Bam, who arrested was arrested (and given free bail) for the murder of a community member Teboho Tsotetsi. They wanted to burn his house down but the RYN intervened and managed to calm the situation. The angry crowd left Thulani’s house in peace but promised to put more pressure on the police to ensure a fair trial.
The community of Sebokeng has been living under threat from the unruly CPF and the police who continue a reign of terror over community members.
It came as a surprise in today’s meeting when the police turned up to arrest “Search” without any given reason or warrant. Fearing for his life while in the custody of the police, the community immediately made their demand for his release in blockades of the streets of Sebokeng Zone 20 and the Golden Highway. Police responded by patrolling the area and firing rubber bullets to disperse the angry residents.
The Sebokeng police station commissioner, Petronella Bischoff, has promised to address the community immediately and explain why the police arrested “Search”. But the residents have lost trust in the police and they believe that the police will not address the community’s concerns. So they have vowed to continue the protest until residents can feel safe in the area and public trust in the Sebokeng police is restored. The community of Zone 20 will join residents from Boiketlong and Kwa-Masiza hostel under the Anti Privatisation Forum (APF) in a march to the police station this morning so as to deliver a memorandum to the police.
Nic
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Keywords
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rights - general
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- Community of Zone 20 Declares War on Corrupt Police and crime in their community
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