Cops probe festival cases
THREE incidents that took place during the Diamonds and Dorings Festival are under investigation by the police, including two cases of common assault, theft and the fraudulent sale of tickets.
The police are investigating two charges of common assault following an altercation that took place at a pub and grill establishment in Galeshewe at around 10pm on Monday evening, involving the organiser of the Diamonds and Dorings Festival, Somandla Sibisi, and DA MPL Boitumelo Babuseng.
Babuseng, who opened a charge of common assault, believes that he was attacked after reporting the expenditure of millions of rands of state funds by provincial government and the Sol Plaatje Municipality on the event, for investigation by the Public Protector.
“I told the guys that I was only doing my job. I was not injured although three men assaulted me,” said Babuseng.
He added that he was instructed to report to the Galeshewe police station late yesterday afternoon, in order to hand himself over to the police.
Sibisi opened a counter charge of common assault against Babuseng following the incident.
“He threw whisky at us and called me a thief. I am also in the process of obtaining an interdict against him. He wrote on Facebook that he is coming for me,” said Sibisi.
According to the owner of the establishment the incident was “nothing to write about”.
“There was no assault. It was only a slight provocation. The organiser of the Diamonds and Dorings Festival was sitting in his chair when Babuseng stood up and tried to greet him. When he refused to return the greeting, Babuseng threw beer at the gentleman. I was called to intervene. I spoke to both gentlemen and they apologised. Afterwards one of the gentlemen reciprocated by spitting at Babuseng.”
He added that he had advised them not to use his premises as a battle ground.
“Thereafter everything was peaceful and there were no further disruptions. Babuseng came back inside and continued to enjoy himself.”
Police spokesperson, Sergeant Majang Skalkie, confirmed that the Galeshewe police were investigating two cases of common assault.
In an unrelated incident, Nomakhosazana Molope laid charges of theft after she claimed R540 was stolen from her bag while she was attending the comedy show last week, which was part of the Diamonds and Dorings Festival.
Molope said that she had forgotten her handbag in the ladies room.
“I asked to see the security cameras, when I saw two ladies who were dressed in black walking out of the bathroom carrying my bag. The organiser of the Diamonds and Dorings festival, (Somandla) Sibisi, assured me that his staff members had retrieved the bag and that I could fetch it backstage,” said Molope.
She added that while her car keys, two cellphones and powerbank were still in her bag, the cash had been stolen.
The police have yet to confirm the charges although a case was registered at the Kimberley police station.
Sibisi stated that the bag was returned after his staff members had retrieved it from the bathroom and denied that any item was stolen.
“We personally informed her that she could collect her bag backstage and all her belongings were untouched.”
Meanwhile, two men appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on charges of forgery, fraud and uttering yesterday after they allegedly sold fake tickets for the Diamonds and Dorings Festival over the weekend.
Police spokesperson, Captain Olebogeng Tawana, said yesterday that the two men, aged 35 and 55, were arrested at the Langleg Resort just outside Kimberley, after being found in possession of fake tickets, with a face value of more than R57 000, on Sunday
“The Diamonds and Dorings Festival is an annual music festival that brings socialites and people from all walks of life together during the Easter weekend.
“However, criminals find pleasure in defrauding the organisers by selling fake tickets.
“This time around they again ran out of charm when we brought two suspects to book after Kimberley Flying Squad members caught them redhanded selling fraudulent tickets,” Tawana said.
He added that the duo were observed while they were busy selling tickets to patrons and that they were then arrested.