Polokwane Mayor Makolo John Mpe. (Gallo Images/Philip Maeta)
- Limpopo police say the Polokwane mayor provided “valuable intelligence” regarding the bloody shootout in Juju Valley.
- John Mpe was questioned by police about his role in the incident which left children and adults with gunshot wounds.
- Police are assessing ballistic test results on three firearms seized in connection with violent clashes between EFF and ANC members.
Police have questioned Polokwane Mayor John Mpe in their investigation into a bloody shootout that left a nine-year-old girl shot in the head and a 25-year-old man with a gunshot wound when ANC and EFF members clashed during an election campaign in Juju Valley, Seshego District, Limpopo.
Limpopo provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe told reporters at the Provincial Investigation and Action Centre in Polokowane that police had seized three firearms possibly linked to the crime.
Two of the weapons were licensed and one was allegedly in the possession of former EFF provincial chairperson and now ANC member Josey Busane.
He now faces charges of unlawful possession of an unlicensed firearm and attempted murder.
Hadebe did not respond to questions about whether one of the two firearms seized by police belonged to Mpe.
She said:
Fifteen cases have been registered in relation to the Juju Valley incident. Three people, including members of the EFF and ANC, have been arrested on suspicion of violent conduct. Most of the 15 cases are for assault, and two are for attempted murder.
“Investigations are ongoing. We can confirm that Mpe was present even though he was there when the incident occurred. We are investigating everyone who was there from both political parties, including Mpe.”
READ | Police “closely monitoring Juju Valley and Seshego” – Limpopo Police Commissioner
“I do not need to reveal who the seized guns belong to. The three guns were seized for ballistics testing. The results came back yesterday. The investigation team is assessing the results and determining the cause. We have asked Mpe to assist us in our investigations and he has provided valuable information.”
Hadebe said he had not received any complaints that Busane may have breached his bail conditions after he was seen lashing out at EFF leader Julius Malema as he addressed the media ahead of the vote at Mponegele Primary School in Seshego.
“The bail conditions include that Busane must not meet with witnesses, must report to Seshego police station and must not intimidate witnesses,” she said.
Meanwhile, a 9-year-old girl was shot in the head and remains hospitalized.
Preparation
Hadebe added that police are preparing for celebrations once the election results are finalized.
“Limpopo was calm and safe. We were on high alert. Any issues raised were sent to the IEC and dealt with by the committee. Those complaints were not enough to get a case heard. The only problem we had was people fighting over long queues,” she said.
“My police officers served our state and our country. [proud]On election day, we investigated three cases and arrested two suspects in Malamule, Elandskraal and Seshego. These people took photos after voting and posted them on social media. We arrested them for violating the election law.”
READ | ANC criticises arrest of Josey Busane in Limpopo's Juju Valley shooting as 'politically motivated'
Limpopo premier and ANC chairperson Stan Mathabatha said he would not tolerate violence and would not allow the carrying of guns during election campaigns.
But he defended ANC members, saying they must defend themselves when under attack.
Matabata said:
The EFF refused to allow ANC members to enter certain areas that they had designated as their land. Our members asked the police for assistance to enter the areas. They decided to enter Juju Valley. [were] He was shot at and had to defend himself.
The ANC would decide what action to take against Busane, he added.
“At the end of the day, we want a gun-free election campaign. We do not support a situation where people knowingly carry guns during election campaigns. We condemn the use of guns.”