MEC Plato says NO to community violence

Rentse Khiba

30 July 2015

Western Cape MEC of Community Safety, Dan Plato said safety is everyone’s responsibility but taking the law into your own hands will not make anyone safer.

Ministerial Spokesperson Ewald Botha said MEC Plato believes that he cannot create a safer environment where people live, work and move about if apparent leaders in community call for violence murder and crime in response to their own unhappiness with the criminal justice system.

This follows the arrest of ANC’s Andile Lili following comments he made outside a Cape Town court earlier this week. Lili said since the justice system is failing the poor he called on communities to take the law into their own hands.

Botha said, such behaviour will not be tolerated and that disciplining Mr Lile would send a strong message to others.

Meanwhile the Social Justice Coalition has condemned the comments made by Andile Lili, stating that the comments were reckless and uncalled for.

SJC’s Axolile Notywala said instead of advocating for further violence and bloodshed Lili should use the platforms and avenues he has as a leader and a member of the provincial ANC to put pressure on the police and the justice system and government to ensure that the commissions’ recommendations are implemented and other necessary actions taken.

It has been reported that Lili was arrested this morning on a charge of inciting violence.