‘ANC councillor pointed a firearm’

AN ANC ward councillor in Daniëlskuil allegedly pointed a firearm, threatening to kill both the chairman of the Kgatelopele Community Forum, Norman Prince, and his nephew, Lebogang Balepile.

Northern Cape police spokeswoman, Lieutenant Andrea Cloete, yesterday confirmed that the police in Daniëlskuil were investigating the case.

“Due to the sensitivity of the matter, no further information can be provided at this stage.” No arrests have been made yet. Balepile said the incident took place on Sunday night at about 11pm, where the councillor approached him at a tavern, asking him to accompany him for a drive in his Mercedes Benz.

“I was not sure what is it that he wanted from me but I agreed to go along. We drove to his house in Tlhakalatlou, which was burnt down during recent service delivery protests.

“He was angry and blamed the community forum for everything that had happened to him. He took out a pistol and pointed it at my chest, threatening to kill my uncle and myself.”

Balepile said that the doors of the vehicle were locked and that he was trapped inside.

“After about 15 minutes, someone knocked on the car window. I asked the councillor if he could let me out to urinate and I then managed to run about five kilometres, through a field, to my home. I was scared because he appeared to be very aggressive and was searching for me in his vehicle.”

Balepile added that he was afraid that the councillor would return because he was not in custody. He also said he believed that the firearm used was not licensed.

“I had no involvement in the protests or in the torching of his house. I think I was targeted simply because I am related to Prince and because I belong to the Kgatelopele Community Forum. Had someone not knocked on the window, I could have been shot and killed in the vehicle.”