MINISTER MTHETHWA OFFERS CONDOLENCES ON LATEST MOTHUTLUNG DEATH, CALLS ON IPID TO EXPEDITE INVESTIGATION

PRETORIA - 15 January 2014. The Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa has offered condolences to the family of the latest person who died in Mothutlung outside Brits, allegedly after being pushed through a moving police nyala. The death brings the total number of people who died during the recent violent protest to three. He has tasked the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) to expedite and broaden their investigation to include this latest incident.

"Yesterday I visited Mothutlung where I directly interacted with the police management, the unit which was involved there and members of the community; precisely to get a sense of what led to clashes that unfortunately resulted in loss of lives. To this end, I also visited the bereaved families to convey my condolences. During our interactions, some of the community members gave me their versions of what transpired. What became clear was that the issues were about the lack of water supply, stated the Minister."

"I have now tasked the IPID to expedite and broaden their investigation to include this latest loss of life. As a matter of urgency, IPID must get in touch with those members who are willing to give accounts of what they witnessed. We must get answers around the circumstances under which the three community members died."

"It needs to be further emphasized that prior to these incidents, there was no such hostile incidents between the community and police. We are aware of the community's anger at this point in time and shall ensure that we mend these broken relations. In fact almost on a weekly basis we are out of office, interacting with communities. We do so not because there are problems, but as part of ensuring that we entrench this community-policing philosophy," stated the Minister.

The Minister stated that should IPID identify any police officials as suspects, the South African Police Service will immediately institute internal disciplinary processes including possible suspensions on those implicated.

Statement issued by Zweli Mnisi, Spokesperson to the Minister of Police, January 15 2014

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