Polokwane Executive Mayor Makoro John Mpe. (Gallo Images/Philip Maeta)
- Limpopo police say the mayor of Polokwane provided them with “valuable information” regarding the bloody shootout in Juju Valley.
- John Mpe was questioned by the police regarding his role in the incident that left a child and an adult with bullet wounds.
- Police are assessing ballistics results from three confiscated firearms linked to the violent clash between EFF and ANC members.
Polokwane Mayor John Mpe has been questioned by the police during their investigation into the bloody shootout that left a nine-year-old girl shot in the head, and a 25-year-old man with bullet wounds, after ANC and EFF members clashed during their campaigns in Juju Valley, Seshego, Limpopo.
Limpopo police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe addressed the media at the provincial Result Operations Centre in Polokowane, saying that the police had confiscated three firearms that could be linked to the offence.
Two of the weapons were licenced, and one was allegedly carried by former EFF provincial chairperson-turned-ANC-member Jossey Buthane.
He now faces charges of being in illegal possession of an unlicenced firearm, as well as attempted murder.
Hadebe declined to respond to a question about whether one of the two firearms confiscated by the police belonged to Mpe.
She said:
Regarding the Juju Valley incident, we have registered 15 cases. We arrested three persons for the violence, including members of the EFF and ANC. The majority of the 15 cases were assault, and two were attempted murder cases.
“Investigations are continuing. I can confirm that Mpe was present, even though he came while the incident was in action. We are looking at everyone present from both political parties, including Mpe.”
READ | Cops keeping ‘eagle eye on Juju Valley and Seshego’ – Limpopo police commissioner
“It is not necessary for me to indicate whose firearm we confiscated. The three firearms have been taken for ballistics testing. The results came back yesterday. The investigating team is assessing those results to determine the cause of action. We requested Mpe to assist with our investigation. He provided us with valuable information.”
Hadebe said they had not received complaints that Buthane could have contravened his bail conditions when he was seen verbally attacking EFF leader Julius Malema, who was addressing the media before casting his vote at Mponegele Primary School in Seshego.
Limpopo police head Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe. (Ntwaagae Seleka/News24)
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“Among his bail conditions is that Buthane mustn’t meet with witnesses. He must also report to the Seshego police station. He mustn’t also threaten any witnesses,” she said.
Meanwhile, the nine-year-old girl remains in hospital after being shot in the head.
Preparations
Hadebe added that police were preparing for celebrations once the election results were finalised.
“Limpopo was calm and safe. We were on high alert. All issues raised were directed to the IEC, and the commission addressed them. Those complaints didn’t warrant cases to be opened. The only problem we had was people fighting over long queues,” she said.
“My policemen and women have done the province and country [proud]. During election day, we opened three cases and arrested two suspects in Malamulele, Elandskraal and Seshego. These people took photos after voting and published them on social media. We arrested them for contravening the Electoral Act.”
READ | ‘Politically motivated’ – ANC on Jossey Buthane’s arrest over Juju Valley shooting in Limpopo
Limpopo Premier and ANC chairperson Stan Mathabatha said he didn’t condone violence or approve of people carrying guns during campaigns.
But he defended ANC members, saying they had to defend themselves when coming under attack.
Mathabatha said:
EFF refused ANC members to enter a certain terrain they had designated to be their own. Our members appealed for assistance from the police to enter the place. They then decided to enter Juju Valley. They then [were] shot at and had to defend themselves.
The ANC would decide what steps to take against Buthane, he added.
“After all, we want to see a gun-free election campaign. We discourage situations where people deliberately carry guns during campaigns. We condemn the use of guns.”
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