ANDILE MOSHOESHOE

THE mayor of Greater Kokstad Municipality Lwanda Madikizela strongly condemned slogans that incite violence.

He warned that such rhetoric may exacerbate tensions within the Kokstad community and plunge the town into disorder.

Madikizela made the remarks during a joint media briefing with the Kokstad police station commander Ralph Ruiters on Wednesday, March 4, to call for calm after the community went on a rampage over the disappearance of Lathitha Mtolo (7).

Mtolo was last seen on February 26 in Marikana, Kokstad.

The community voiced anger after the release of a person of interest who was detained for questioning in connection to the missing child.

Approximately four houses were set alight and roads were blocked with heavy objects. Madikizela urged for calm and warned against community members taking the law into their own hands.

He encouraged community leaders to spread hope following the disappearance of the child.

Although Colonel Ruiters refrained from openly criticising the judiciary, he appeared to express reservations regarding the court’s decision.

“I do not wish to cast aspersions on the justice system, but the suspect voluntarily confessed without any coercion or punishment. Nevertheless, each institution has its own procedures that must be respected,” he stated.

Colonel Ruiters stated that Kokstad has also been plagued by a spate of shootings in which several individuals were killed for reasons that remain unknown.