BPSA leader feels his life is under threat after his shooting and attack two years ago

GROBLERSDAL – Elias Motsoaledi opposition councillor and Bolsheviks Party of South Africa (BPSA) leader, Seun Mogotji, claims he is being sidelined because he is a member of the opposition in the local municipality.

This after the opposition councillor has been refused to be granted protection by the local municipality.

Mogotji sought protection from the council after he was attacked and shot at his home in Ntwane village outside Groblersdal in April 2016.

The leader claims he has been living in fear since his attackers were not arrested.

According to Mogotji, a risk assessment on his life was done and approved by the SAPS, which was presented to council.

In a letter sent to the local municipality by his lawyers, the councillor was entitled to monthly protection of two static personal protection officers with a monthly rate R12 000 each, two personal protection in transit of R23 000 each per month, a vehicle to a monthly rate of R22 000 and a R2 500 monthly report to the SAPS. The total amount of the monthly protection demanded by the opposition leader amounts to R95 000.

EMLM allegedly refused to approve Mogotji’s protection. He claims that his application was turned down by the majority of the African National Congress (ANC) councillors because he belongs to the opposition political party.

During a council meeting held on 30 October 2017, EMLM Mayor, Julia Mathebe asked for the same protection after receiving potential threats on her life. Council approved the mayor’s security amounting to R115 000 per month.

The move raised concerns of some opposition political parties as they alleged no risk assessment was properly performed when the decision was taken by the majority of ANC councilors.

Mogotji said his concern was that no arrests were made following his shooting two years after the incident.

“I am still feeling threatened. My life is in danger whereas council fails to offer me security just like they did for the mayor. It is as if my life is not important. I feel like the decision not to grant me security was influenced by people who attacked me,” said Mogotji.

The opposition leader added that he wrote a letter to Dennilton SAPS to seek clarity on developments in this case.

“I wrote a letter intending to know about any way forward regarding my case. It has been two years now and no one was arrested. I wish the police can dig deeper and arrest people who tried to kill me because my life is in danger while on the other side the municipality refuses to protect me,” further said Mogotji.

EMLM Director for Executive Support, Meshack Kgwale confirmed Mogtji’s protection was rejected in council.

“This is because the report from police was not conclusive in terms of the nature of the threat that has been assessed on the life of councillor Mogotji. The gazette gives discretionary powers to council in allocation of security services for councillors. As such it is not obligated to provide security for councillors,” explained Kgwale.