Premier Mathabatha monitors peace and stability in Moutse

MOUTSE – Limpopo Premier Chupu Mathabatha embarked on a peace and stability monitoring mission at Moutse Mall last Wednesday to encourage communities to remain calm following the looting of businesses and destruction of property incidents that hit parts of the country recently.

Premier Mathabatha’s visit to the area followed a Special Executive Committee (EXCO) meeting’s resolution earlier last week to encourage the people of Limpopo to continue with their daily lives without fear.

In addition, the EXCO directed that all political, traditional leaders, faith-based organizations, civil society movements in the province ought to vigorously spread the message of peace amidst the violence that were experienced in some parts of the country.

Mathabatha said they were pleased as government to notice that after the developments, there were men and women on the ground who stood together and said not in their name.

“As government we thought of coming here to look you in the eyes and tell you to continue in this way and ensure that no one destroys property. We are calling on you to stick together and continue this way in standing against violence. We need to also consider that COVID-19 Delta is with us and continue to observe all the regulations by government,” said Mathabatha.

Premier Mathabatha also called on the people of Moutse to take advantage of the COVID-19 vaccination programme roll-out and ensure that they were registered to vaccinate.

Dennilton Taxi Association’s Samuel Mabuyane said that they were saddened by the violence and that they did not allow it to happen in their area.

Mabuyane said as Dennilton Taxi Association they were there to make sure that on one participated in the violence and the destruction property and looting of businesses in the area.

Ally Ramoshaba, Dennilton Community Policing Forum Board member, thanked members of the community and police in working together to fight against the violence that almost engulfed the area.

Thembi Hadebe, Provincial Commissioner, said they deployed police across the province and boundaries to make sure that nothing that is not supposed to happen took place and that they were supported by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

Earlier during last week, a group of would-be looters gathered near Moutse Mall in an attempt to join other parts of the country in looting and destruction of property acts. A bus and a truck were torched in the area.