The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has learnt with dismay and disbelieve the magnitude of the destruction of government properties that took place on Monday 16 April 2018.

The police were called to the scene of crime at Finale village near Hoedspruit, reacted swiftly but on arrival they were met by the sight of destruction of properties worth millions of rands.

Preliminary investigations indicated that violence earlier erupted at the Finale village near Hoedspruit outside Phalaborwa when members of the community went on the rampage and attacked the site of a Water Project which is a contract under the Department of Water and Sanitation.

They started throwing stones at workers and also to the equipment that was there. One worker was seriously injured and equipment, cars and machineries were severely damaged. All those damaged items belong to the Department of Water and Sanitation. The estimated damage caused during this incident is about R4 million.

The injured victim was taken to the local clinic for medical treatment. The situation is now quite but we are still monitoring it closely. The suspects in this matter are still unknown and there is no arrest.

Anyone with information which can lead to the arrests of the suspects in this matter, may contact Captain Cobra Moriri at 082 573 4773 or the crime stop number 0860010111 or the crime line sms 32211 or the nearest Police Station.

The Police investigations are still continuing. Those who are still perpetrating this type of tendency, will be dealt with accordingly and without compromise. If members of the community are having any form complaint against whoever, they must raise such complaints peacefully and legally without any damage to property or harming anyone.

“Community members are once again warned to desist from acts of public violence that often leads to destruction of property and injury to people. The police will continue to hunt all those responsible for this destruction,” concluded Lt General Ledwaba.

South Africa Today – South Africa News