A Community Meeting in Free State Turns Deadly as Councillor Brandishes Firearm

A community meeting in Mohokare Local Municipality turned violent when a local councillor brandished a firearm after being accused of corruption by a resident. Tensions escalated, and the resident fled, fearing for his life. The incident highlights the ongoing demand for better governance in the area, which has been plagued by corruption and poor service delivery.

A community meeting that sought to address the issues faced by the Mohokare Local Municipality, a region plagued by corruption and poor service delivery, ended in chaos when an African National Congress (ANC) Ward 1 councillor and local businessman, Pule Petrus Mahapane, allegedly threatened a resident with a gun before pursuing him in a car.

Tension Escalates at the Meeting

The meeting was held at the local stadium in Matlakeng, Zastron. During the heated discussion, resident Johnny Chabedi accused the councillors of corruption and using the community for their political gains. Chabedi’s accusations escalated tensions in the room, eventually leading to the alleged firearm incident. Mahapane left the meeting but later returned with a gun, targeting Chabedi.

Chabedi Fears for His Life

Fearing for his life, Chabedi fled the scene while Mahapane reportedly chased him in his car. Chabedi narrowly escaped by hiding behind the stadium and traversing a narrow path, which Mahapane’s vehicle could not navigate. Chabedi later reported the incident to the local police with the support of fellow residents.

Mahapane Denies the Accusations

Mahapane denied the accusations, claiming he returned to his car to retrieve a case for his sunglasses and that he did not have his gun with him that day. Furthermore, Mahapane claimed he went to the police station to open a case against Chabedi for defamation. However, resident Mpho Makgatla contradicted Mahapane’s account, stating that they witnessed everything.

Dissatisfaction with the Police’s Actions

Makgatla expressed her disappointment in the police’s handling of the incident and urged them to charge Mahapane with attempted murder. Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli acknowledged the dissatisfaction with the police’s actions and assured that Chabedi’s complaint against the Zastron police would be investigated. Kareli admitted that “what the police did was wrong.”

Underlying Tension and Demands for Better Governance

The incident at the community meeting highlights the underlying tension and demands for better governance in the Mohokare Local Municipality. The area has been under scrutiny for its rampant corruption and inadequate governance, with fraud allegations hanging over Mayor Zingisa Mgawuli and her team. As a result, employees have been left unpaid, and community members are suffering from a lack of basic services, such as water.

1. What happened at the community meeting in Mohokare Local Municipality?

The community meeting turned violent when a local councillor brandished a firearm after being accused of corruption by a resident.

2. Who was involved in the incident?

The incident involved an African National Congress (ANC) Ward 1 councillor and local businessman, Pule Petrus Mahapane, and resident Johnny Chabedi.

3. Why did the incident happen?

The incident happened after Chabedi accused the councillors of corruption and using the community for their political gains. Mahapane allegedly chased Chabedi in his car with a gun after the accusations escalated tensions in the room.

4. What is the police’s response to the incident?

Police spokesperson Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli acknowledged the dissatisfaction with the police’s actions and assured that Chabedi’s complaint against the Zastron police would be investigated.

5. What does the incident highlight about the Mohokare Local Municipality?

The incident highlights the ongoing demand for better governance in the area, which has been plagued by corruption and poor service delivery.