Philippi East deaths and destruction condemned

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the violent and destructive actions that has seen people’s homes being set alight, several people injured and the deaths of innocent motorists and reports of other people losing their lives.

I urge the communities of Philippi East – Marikana and Lower Crossroads – for calm and to abide by the law.

I extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.

Everyone needs to take responsibility for their own actions over the weekend and I commend the South African Police Service (SAPS) and Metro police for their combined efforts in stabilising the situation over the weekend and their attempts in keeping community members safe.

The deaths needs to be investigated and those responsible will have to face the full might of the law.

Though people across the country have various and very real service delivery complaints and grievances; destruction, murder and defiance of the rule of law is not the way any problems are solved.

This needs to be made intrinsically clear by all community leaders, government representatives on the ground, as well as all political parties in the run up to the local government elections next year. There are legitimate ways to raise grievances and violence is never the answer.

I call on communities to assist the SAPS in their efforts to keep everyone safe and urge every person in the province to take the responsibility to put their own safety as well as the safety of those around them, first.