Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa has called for calm in Brits, North West, where violent protests took place yesterday , 13 January 2013, resulting in the death of two people.
The deceased were allegedly shot by police during clashes between demonstrators and the police. The matter is being investigated by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
“We want to reiterate the point that the public have Constitutional rights to protest and raise whatever issues they may be [discontented] withm” Mthethwa said. “These very rights do not imply that people must be violent, destroy property, attack police and intimidate others.
“However, as we have seen on many occasions, many protests have been accompanied by serious provocations, intimidations, public violence and even elements of criminality,” he said.
Mthethwa reiterated that there was no culture of impunity within the South African Police Service (SAPS). As the matter is being probed by the IPID, the minister urged the public to give the institution time to conduct its investigation.
He also urged the public to come forward and give the IPID any information or evidence that might help in the investigation.
“We can assure the public that if any official is found guilty, they will face the consequences. For now, none of us should pre-empt or pre-judge the matter before it is concluded.”
Deputy Police Minister Makhotso Sotyu will be in Brits this morning and she will be briefed on the policing situation in the area, including what led to the clashes between the police and protesters.
Sotyu, accompanied by the SAPS North West Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Zukiswa Mbombo, will also visit the families of the deceased.
– Soruce: – SAnews.gov.za
(edited)
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St Francis Chronicle 
”Like we see time and time again”. The police have always to be at the front lines when a demonstration takes place, and the ones causing it get arrested, then they get detained and released quicker than one can bat an eyelid, and are at the front of protest yet once again very soon thereafter again, causing more chaos and violence and urging others to do the same. When a Protest gets violent there is only one way to get things under control and orderly, and that is to apply the necessary force in order to do so, and detain those responsible in police custody. Then one can negotiate, and start investigating the causes in a cool and calm manner, and decide what to do further, and who was responsible, and who to criminally charge and who to release. This barbarism has to stop!