Democratic Alliance (Cape Town)

South Africa: Free State Police Commissioner Must Answer On Use of Live Ammunition

23 January 2013

press release

Photo: SABC Digital News
Violent protests in Sasolburg, Free State.

Answers are needed from the police on the use of live ammunition to kill two protestors in Sasolburg on Tuesday.

Reports have indicated that one person was allegedly shot by police and another by a private citizen. Our information from the ground is that both of these people were killed by police using live ammunition.

The DA demands answers from Free State Police Commissioner Khela Sithole on the firing of live ammunition yesterday.

In a letter to Lt-Gen Sithole this morning, I asked him to clarify if he gave permission for police to fire at protestors.

The DA also demands that he retract his statement commending police for their handling of the protest yesterday.

While the situation was volatile and violent in Sasolburg, the use of live ammunition to deal with protests is unacceptable - Marikana is a testament to this.

Patricia Kopane, DA Leader in the Free State

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