THE LEARNER FATALLY SHOT CAUSE ACRIMONY AND PANDAMONIUM

THE LEARNER FATALLY SHOT CAUSE ACRIMONY AND PANDAMONIUM

By BRIAN KAJENGO

Parents always advised not to disturb learners from going to school. The community of Bushbuckridge take it as a norm to withdraw learners from school. 

A 15 year learner was alleged shot during the crossover between police and the protestors on Thursday 26 February.

The deceased Thabiso Lebyane was not the only victim during the cross over, one of the learners also shot on the leg and was taken to the Tinstwalo Hospital near Acornhoek.
DA Mpumalanga said day just before Premier David Mabuza boldly told the people of Mpumalanga in his State of the province address (SOPA) that the problem of water supply was solved in Bushbuckridge, a young boy was shot dead in Casteel village while protesting for water.

15-year old Lucas Lebyane was shot on Thursday allegedly by the police when protesters from Casteel village, blockaded the R40 with rocks and burning tyres demanding that the Bushbuckridge local municipality provide them with water. Another boy from the same village was shot in the leg, but was not hospitalised.

On the contrary, on Friday Premier David Mabuza stood boldly before the people of Mpumalanga and confidently told them that the problem of water supply in Bushbuckridge has been solved and villages have access to clean drinking water.

In Nasaret, Middelburg, on Thursday, it was reported that the SAPS used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse peaceful protesters who wanted the Steve Tshwete local municipality to intervene in the taxi unrest currently taking place in Nazaret, Rockdale, Eastdene and Hlalamnandi.

The DA does not understand the reason why SAPS started shooting at peaceful protesters. The community was protesting peacefully, but it got ugly when the police started firing rubber bullets and tear gas at them.

We are becoming increasingly concerned with SAPS brutality and the alleged use of live ammunition to quell service delivery protests. Police are mandated to protect the people of Mpumalanga not to carry out a reign of fear.

According to the police report, it’s alleged that the community of Casteel embarked in an uncontrollable violence caused a halt to the R40 using trucks and buses to barricade the road.

According to Brigadier Selvy Mohlala it’s not clear how and who shot the boy.

“It’s not clear how and who shot the young boy, but our investigating team are busy with investigation. The case is now on the hands of the Independent Police Investigation Directorate for further investigation, ” said Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.