DA condemns Limpopo protest killings [by Police]
2014-01-29 16:30
Johannesburg
- The DA
in Limpopo has condemned the fatal shooting of two protesters by police in the
province.
"The situation in Limpopo is
becoming extremely volatile. It is likely that the people of Relela Village
will again be protesting today," Limpopo DA spokesperson America Ngwepe
said on Wednesday.
Two men, aged between 25 and 40,
were shot dead by police on Tuesday night in Relela outside Tzaneen, Limpopo,
police spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said at the time.
About 1 500 violent protesters armed
with petrol bombs and stones attacked the police at the station.
Mulaudzi said 15 officers were
injured, three critically, and 19 police vehicles were damaged.
The community had been protesting
since Thursday after the body of a woman was found in the area.
Mulaudzi said two people were taken
in for questioning but were later released. Their houses were burned on
Saturday by angry community members.
During that protest, a 15-year-old
boy was shot dead, allegedly by police.
"The firearms of officers who
attended the protest were taken for ballistic tests to confirm if the boy was
indeed killed by police," Mulaudzi said.
Ngwepe said there were political
tensions in Limpopo.
"The police's heavy-handed
tactics to suppress people's discontent is only making things worse," he
said.
Mulaudzi was not immediately
available on Wednesday to comment on the violence.
National police commissioner Riah
Phiyega was also expected to visit Relela Village.
- SAPA
