Mauritz

Atleast this cannot be blamed on apartheid?

willemien

If a white policeman was involved, heaven knows how he would have been treated — that would have been ”war”!! But then, the victim would probably have been still alive today!

Kenny Majozi

Wrap your mind around this – if the Victim was white, chances are he would not have gotten beaten up. Psychological scars of our past.

Kenny Majozi

Indirectly it can – refer to my response below. Black & White experiences in SA are so different on many levels!! Before responding in anger – just give it some thought,an maybe consult a bit, then you’ll understand!

Lebohang Mareka

There will be many who refer to the apartheid era. Let us move away from the past. This was just bloody murder. And while there are many good policemen, there are those few who are mad with power, to the point that they will kill their own people. Again, this was just plain muder and the killer should be prosecuted.

Ettienne Pel

You are so spot on Lebohang. It frustrates the hell out of me that we continue to hear people shout about the past. We are 17 years into democracy, and still we cannot stand together. Let the justice system take its course and may the guilty parties be prosecuted. In my opinion, should a SAPS member be found guilty of murder under these circumstances, they should receive the maximum sentence which can be imposed.

Jacqui

Well said, murder is murder – lets move away from black and white, its time we all become ONE. This man no matter what race was a husband, a father, a provider and had NO right to be killed standing up for his basic rights. Words cannot express the shock that the men who are supposed to protect can be so savage.

mikeonline

imo This is unaccountable and unjustifiable savagery. This is the norm. The call for reason and hopes for a more just society meets antagonism and deadly measures. Cry The Beloved Country. We all had hope for a better future, a better country and a better way of life. SA is fast losing conscience.

mikeonline

Does this unarmed and murdered in cold blood man have a name. May he RIP.

pali

yes he has

pali

police,,,, thats what they do best… killing but een dag sal wees.. nie so ver nie

Lindani

This was not suppose to happen because these ppl were voicing their frastration about lack of service deliveries to their municipality, the toyi toyi is the last resolution for everyone.

pali

police are supposed to use rubber bullet thats all, they are only allowed to use the real one if the person is armed nothing nore…

LOLI

Even if rubber bullets are used, there is a time and need for them to be used. That is pure brutality. The man was innocent and not harmful.

Steve Irwin

Rotten from the head, what do we expect from having two crooked Commissioners in a row. This is what happens with “shoot the ********” attitude, it has now moved from crime to political opponents/dissenters. The ANC cannot escape responsibility, this is the fruit of cadre deployment.

inkosi lulama radebeniemark

you are very much on point Steven…

Motukisi

You’re right, man. They deploy unqualified people simply because they happened to be in exile, leaving out thousands of experienced and educationally qualified citizens across the colour lines. Of course, how do you expect someone who has no knowledge or experience or both to deliver? As you can see, they are reaping what they sow and what they sow is their downfall. With services in place as expected, there would be no Ficksburg. Now we know what to do on May 18 and in 2012.

Mandilakhe Dlelaphantsi

It looks like those that are suppose to protect us are the ones killing us. May this dude’s soul rest in peace and those policemen who killed him in cold blood burn in hell.

inkosi lulama radebeniemark

they must burn in hell ….they derseve no place to stay on plannet earth …i’m pissed off by the shoot to kill policy…

Righardt

Well having seen the news last night, i think its man-slaughter. He did retaliate and was attacking the boys in blue as well. Not making it right for them to beat the guy to death, there is other alternatives to controlling a “un-ruling” person thus i see the wrong in shooting and beating the guy, he looks like a strong healthy bloke, how hard and how many times did they klap him????

As for the ANC making a noise about this, i say you are just as guilty because if u deliver services like you promised for the past 17 years it would not have happened, knowing Ficksburg and having family there its one of SA worst places regarding services, now blaming the Police but U the ANC governs them??? leaves you withe qeustions doesn’t it!!

Wanting to move the spotlight to the SABC for showing it, i say good for the SABC for showing it to the nation, showing us what our Police, our government THE ANC are doing! Now the SABC is in “trouble” for showing it would the ANC have us not know of such happenings. They need to take responsibility.

Sanj

This is just sick, no-one has the right to take another’s life!!!!!

Hen

The policemen accused of this thuggish and barbaric attack on unharmed protester are still
on police duties,drawing a pay cheque and still go home to be with their families.

What about the deceased,his family,more especially his child will not see him ever again.

The police Captain says they are protecting the family,from whom i ask?
Its says a lot about the professionalism and integrity of the SAPS.

These killers should not walk another day on the streets wearing a police uniform,
their police powers be stripped from them and their guns be taken away from them.
This will be while the investigations are carrying on.
That is the least we expect,and by the way these are standard procedure in the case
of police being accused of killing.

Sguda Sibande

Mr Tatane, the service delivery protester is dead!

Many people still remain loyal to the ruling party taking into account that: They can now learn anywhere They choose, They can go anywhere anytime, They can live anywhere, They can work anywhere, They have a right to be respected irrespective of their color, Their brother can be president, They can be CEO, They and You can live in a decent house with running water and electricity with proper toilets that the government has built for Them for free, Their relatives can get many forms of grants and Their neighbor can get free education and free lunch at school. And a few more – but that’s about it. Most of Us remain poor financially and in knowledge – Why and exactly who is getting more rich financially and in knowledge?
My fellow country man and former roommate is killed – Why? He, like everybody in the country was asking his comrades (or former) to improve on service delivery. If (especially at municipal level) his comrades were promptly delivering to their promises, corrupt councilors and officials were shown the door, cadre deployment was stopped and hyenas were kept in the wild where they belong – South Africa would be better: – Mr. Tatane would be alive today enjoying the fruits of democracy with his family and teaching his students – There would have been no service delivery protests in the country – The unemployment rate would be low and the literacy level very high – Their neighbors kid could walk to the shop/school and back without fear of being raped or robbed.
There is nothing that can justify the brutal handling of an unarmed citizen by the police. The sustained beating and shooting at close range, whether using rubber bullets or live ammunition is unacceptable. Even if the protester had resisted arrest and angered the police, they are the ones who preach that no one should retaliate but rather report such to the police so that the law must take its cause, now they have taken the law into their own hands, they are not the law – they are law enforcers. This is grossly wrong and it must be condemned to the strongest degree. Those responsible must be brought to book. This is a painful way of dying in the hands of the police – more than 15 years into democracy. Just imagine if this was your brother, maybe that’s the only time you would really feel this and you would not make open ended condemnation of the police actions – if you have done so.
The reason people protest is because they are showing their loyalty to the ruling party that they have been voting to power since 1994 with the intention to show it shortcomings to improve because they are patient. They did not fight for freedom because they were bored or because they were following some people who were knowledge rich and only them must now get financially rich. THEY wanted everybody to be both financially and knowledge rich. They wanted to enforce the values of the freedom charter.
We don’t like violent service delivery protests, in fact we don’t want to even protest but we want service delivery. Is this the time that we must start asking questions – that must we continue to fight our own or is this the time to look for someone who can just deliver? Who could that be? Why does it seem like our brothers have left us in the wild where we don’t want to be – we are not hyenas and we can’t cope in the wild, we are the taxpayers – we are the goose, we want more gooses, let’s all work to produce more of them – led by the progressives and cool headed? Let our councillors deliver. Mr. President, guide us. Long live freedom charter long live!!!

Black man, ARE you STILL on your own?

Former room mate.

Senzo

This is sad, so sad! The police are trained to deal with any situation without reaching this extent. Our police force is poorly trained, poorly educated, obessed with power! The respective minister and the police commissioner should channel their energy to its members towards the ethical ways of policing.

We are a democratic nation. These are scenes characteristic of nations headed by people like Robert Mugabe.

S Kumalo

Well put and said, my brother!

CONCERNED CITIZEN

Ficksburg Municipality is appauling ot say the least. If anyone paid a short visit to that township they will know what im atlking about. The road infrastructure, gabbage pick up facilities, sanitary facilities, WATER i cant express enough. Setsotos Municipality officials are being paid for nothing!! They just drive their big cars and do absolutely nothing, but promises and look good!! Water is a basic need for human life, how can one live without water – and what do we call goverment officials who switch water off in the whole township for the whole of the Festive Season? should we be quiet and pretend as if all is well. I dont think so. SERVICE DELIVERY is not in any of the municipality officials vocabulary in Fxb – it never was, even well beofre Kau was there.
The killing, i have no words, HE was killed by one of his own, all black police men, how disgusting, i could identify one of the ploice men SOLANE Snr!!!

SC

A life sadly lost and needlessly. No one can justify or condone the taking away of a life. And it is easy to sit here and judge that the police were only doing their duty until it becomes me or you at the receieving end. However, my understanding is that this is perhaps the first time a protestor has died during a protest, isn’it. If that is a case, my feeling is that the police have been very patient in the last 15 or so years with the extremelly intimidating and violent protests this country has seen. And while in many cases the violent protests are based on the root cause of nonprovison of servicd delivery, in mnay instances it is pure thuggery on the parts of unions and comunitiies to impose thier requirements on the borader society. So with this traggic death, hopefully there will be an end to violent and intimidating protests as people will be more afraid to do as they wish when they engage in protest marches. Please note that note for a momemnt am i saying protests are unneccessary-they are needed but must be done in a peaceful manner that doesnt intimidate others.

Stewart

The ANC Militia, masquerading as the SAPS, are now clearly and assuredly completely out of control.

Captain Crunch

Those of you who believe that you have had a “Democracy” in action in South Africa for the last 17 years ,are sadly , dumb , deluded and dimwitted.

Perhaps this Violent incident ….sadly only one of thousands annuallly by the SA police , will make it dawn on you all , just what a ***** the Revolution always was.

Just like North of the limpopo , as ZANU PF support among the masses waned , conversely the state brutality increased.

Now ANC support among the masses wanes…. Violence against the populace will increase.

20 years of relative calm North of the limpopo , until Zanu PF turned on its Voters….

17 years of relative calm South of the limpopo , Municipal elections approach , support waning….

See a pattern developing here…….

Just wait until prior to the General Election next year…..

You aint seen nothing yet.

Leslie Fumo

Police please remember you are also people and will remain so – how do u feel after such an incident. Our police have turned into animals. Commissioner can u unearth whoever committed such a barbaric act

Du

It is sad that what was meant to demonstrate dissatisfaction on service delivery ended up in this tragedy. Was there any intention to kill, I doubt. As a citizen of this country I have observed over the years post apartheid dispensation, as people of this country, especially the previously oppressed, we cannot continue expressing our anger or dissatisfaction by destroying and disturbing public order in the manner we do. If we destroy, are we not taking more steps back. Are we that brain washed to the extent that we can’t exercise our democratic right to effect change, if we believe we are not getting what we deserve. We must also be careful of being made to be so dependent to the government by the very same government. It is also not acceptable that in this day and age people are exploited by people who have their on agendas, why all of a sudden………… May the protesters soul RIP.

dee

What are we expecting…If your police commissioner runs around preaching lethal force etc and the poor policemen are not trained to use non’lethal measures to diffuse situations then how can we say we didn’t see this coming?
The “general” celebrates when his cops have shot and killed criminals because he says no-tolerance to crime and this is a simple progression to the pits that your government is leading us to!

It’s simple to understand, if you encourage your dog to bite, don’t act shocked when it one day bites you or your loved ones, it’s the nature of things!

I would encourage the family to sue the s*@t out of Bheki Cele for inciting his “dogs” and then letting them loose on society, his words are more dangerous than Juju-baby singing struggle songs.

PS If you are wondering, I am a black SA male…

Thobile

All I want to know is wat the GENERAL will do about this. It is appauling to see wat the ANC has done to the freedom that people died for. Why are people still dying for basic humn rights. The police cannot get away with murder for any longer, they have to be repremanded. Mr Tatane is a victim of unfair, irresponsible behaviour of the people who should be protecting us, he was a victim of our corrupt government. ENOUGH really the ANC MUST answer.

Motukisi

The ANC is slowly but surely disappearing as an organization as we retract our votes for many reasons and many failures including being in office for personal gain and personal gain alone. There is no power greater than the power of the people. There is no power greater than the will of the people. There is no power greater than the minds of the people, no matter how much power you may wield in the streets. The life of a black man is worthless to a black man in power. Talk about common sense, 8 men on one un-armed man with batons, it will kill him and no one reacted during the onslaught to restrain the man – 8 men – common sense! Do the police need education on common sense? As usual, get a tenderpreneur to teach them at our expense and put the money in your pocket.
Let us not expect service delivery from people who do not know what they are doing.
Those in power will win by 80%, then by 62%, then by 51% and then by minus 50% and then they will be disappear into thin air – gone for good.
The cry for basic services is a basic right and a valid one. If government was doing what they put into office to do, Ficksburg would not have happened.
Motukisi.

Tebza

Police are there to protect the community, but what we get from them is totally different from what they are trained for. From my point of view every corp involved in assault and killing of that poor man must be prosecuted and no questions asked. Police have been of no help at all but killing inocent people, but struggles to capture real criminals when most needed. Tell Bheki Cele to re-train his Police officers

Beautiful

rather sad, my prayers go to the family

Gerrit

If one looks at the arrogance of police management and the lack of respect they have for the rule of law i doubt very much if justice will ever be served on this poor man’s killers.One more result of the shoot on site command.

Louis

The price of corruption will increase with unqualified leaders in all walks of life. Democracy takes time to become the norm. The question must however be asked if we are moving towards or away from democracy. It is very evident that we are moving towards a military state with leadership positions taken up in civil society by ex-cops and military leaders. Africa does not and will not understand human rights and pure democracy.

All of us experience the corrupt nature of cops on a daily basis. I for one have no respect for most of them as they extort bribes and bully the public who are already living under the breadline. We are in desperate need of a significant opposition as absolute power corrupts absolutely. Cops drive over stop streets and ignore the speed limit etc. Untrained, under qualified, corrupt ‘children’ with egos out of proportion. Just try to get anything done including a basic declaration at a cop-shop : the officers can’t even spell !

As corruption increase in South Africa as in the rest of Africa, standards will drop and citizens will accept it over time as dictatorship will take a stranglehold of society. For the past 7 years I have been driving to my farm in the North West Province with a road closure between Krugersdorp and Ventersdorp the past three years and nothing being done about it. Tyres, rims, windscreens all gone several times.As is the case in the rest of Africa, we will have to buy aeroplanes to move from town to town whilst money dissapears from state coffers and unsuitable candidates steal from their own. This is not a race nor political issue- this is signs of a sick society where the select few will rule in corrupt manner and the masses will suffer at their hands. May God help us!

Pj

Shame—-I realy hope Mr Tatane didn’t die for noting—-and I also think his family should sue the police for millions so that his children atleast have the opportunity to make something of their lives—-it’s so sad because he was a teacher a true African that new the value of respect for your elders that’s why he tried to help the old gentelman who was sprayed by the police—-it was this decency that got him into trouble—a case of opposite poles attract—-he a good family man the police officers lazy no-brain power obsessed men—-ai ja jai—–hey batu—I hope he didn’t die for noting !!! This power obssesed thing ( the tokolshe ) goes straight through the goverment from police constables to generals who sign 500 million rand deals to make money for themself and their friends to Malemas with security guards with machine guns in a normal court—to the president with his and his families dodgy deals and dodgy thingamaxinks with comrades daughters and he and his pack’s way of getting rid of their former leader so that they can keep their hands on the peoples MONEY ! you know this is true——and some of the blame must also go to the people who vote them in time after time just because the Mama who want to fix everything and who have the knowledge to do so and the will power to do so —happen to be white—understandable if u know our history but wrong because you don’t see the good if the colour stop you from realy checking things out—–never mind that she was a freedom fighter as well ( I’m speaking of Zille ). It was not only the ANC who fought for South Africans freedom—-the PAC AZAPO INKATA people in Cope ( Lekota ) and many others also fought , but for the ANC the revolution belonged only to them. Time for a new revolution——this time we must fight these political scavengers that just want to eat all the meat and gravy themself—we must fight them with our vote and stop them before we sit with a mess that is too difficult to clean up—–I hope mister Tatane didn’t die for noting lets fix this tokoloshe power susi eating thing from the top down—replace the head—-vote for the mama Zille—-she and her friends will fix this mess within 5 years garanteed. Hoza SA hoza !!!

Maree

Like I’ve said before, the black monkey is a savage. They’ve just recently descended from the trees.

Andre

Stop police brutality. This is murder they could have arrested him.

S Kumalo

@Former roommate. Well put and said my brother. May his soul rest in peace. THE MAJOR PROBLEM in this country very few learned, capable, people with integrity are sitting in responsible positions. Hence, this horrible service delivery! If government audit could be run, tomorrow, on nepotism with most of them only qualified with night-school matric or underground training. South Africa would be shocked to realise that we have been all along simply surviving on God’s mercy. Nobody in charge there knows what he’s doing, what’s supposed to be done and how. They are cluelless incompetent greedy bunch. With appalling greed all they do instead is daily deep slumbering pleasure on our tax money highest abuse imaginable!

Pity in SA powerful leaders are worshipped but a powerful leader without brain is even glorified- Why? Who stands to benefit? Intelligence, integrity, discipline, humanity, accountability, values of ubuntu have no place anymore in our government. It’s all wasted effort! Our struggle was never meant to take this turn. The brutal killing of our son (Mr Tatane) amidst great call by our real true leader of SA time, Mr Mandela to say “never again” will this beatiful land experience what we saw last week. I rest my case. Any way these are the results of entrusting illitrate dumb empty vessels with power! They go that crazy and excited!

Kidi

It is so unfortunate and very disappointing that SA democratic government is failing to focus on the basic needs of it’s own people. At the same corruption is at it’s pick, where the majority of those in leadership are enriching themselves. Some of them are even referred to as tenderpreneurs. What a shame!!! Greed and corruption is leading to such events of senseless killings. The very police officers are the products of poverty and violence. They see it daily, live or on tellies. Their training is very poor. Does their recruitment & training take their background into account? The police are just humans, and are trained to become the subjects of the government of the day, as they are expected to protect the interests of the government. Poor boys are not going to be left to face this hell alone. Moreover their timing is not in their favor due to ANC being desperate to win thr local elections. They are therefore going to face this hell alone. Let’s stop being the judges, justice will take it’s course. SA ons praat te … Jy ken. Let’s not loose focus, these boys are messengers and very poorly trained deliberately to ensure that the mission of the rulers is accomplished. That is why we cannot draw a diffence between the present ones and the ones from apartheit era. I hope you understand where I ‘m from. What a shame. Let His soul rest in peace.

Barbara

We must remember that there are good and bad police men out there. It is a pity that all will brushed over the same comb as we have men in blue who tries to make a difference every day and place themselves in the line of fire for you and me. These are savages who do not deserve nor honour the uniform they wear. They should be tried and punished for what they did. No person deserves to go that way. We should not focus on what the colour of the skin of on either side perp or victim.

To wonder what would happen if the roles was reversed are just out right stupid. When are we going to wake up, this hate and racism should stop or the past 19 years was nothing. It makes me sad to be a South African somedays because if we can’t put the past behind us, I see no hope for our future. I voted in the referendum for change, as so did hundred’s and thousand of other white South African’s. Don’t let the minority on either side influence our future.

Call this as it is, a senseless killing and hope they are brought to book. Irrespective of the colour of their skin.

Fanie

Where is Beki Cele now?we are still waiting for his comment! This Barbarian Police must rotten in hell!!

Monic

Lets see if the whole matter just gets smeared closed. They may never spend a night in jail for long. They will simply get transfered to another unit.

Those that are honest and take pride in their work are victimised and bullied. We are supposed to be in a democracy yet the true blues that are still honorable are becoming too few. They are not recognised for thier hard work and sacrifices. All because the upper ranks do not like you for what ever reason. No longer are the good ones being rewarded. It is not what you know but who you know.

If these guys have any high ranking contacts guaranteed it will be smeared closed, and die a silent death. We will all forget the Ficksburg police brutality, if were white members guaranteed they would have been suspended immediately. Luckily the news aired it otherwise we all would have been none the wiser to their actions. There is a trend toward total media black out.

Sad but true.

Mandla Zulu

This is very painfully but let look both side people let respect to be victim some times not count,but police fail to do his job

siphiwe nxumalo

I fully agree that the action of the police is barbaric and inhuman more than
Six police officers attacking one unarmed man who is not resisting even if he was
Six trained officers can manage him , why attack and beat let alone killing the helpless guy.