Seeing as though our democracy turned 21 this year (and could theoretically gamble and drink in the USA) we expect certain basic human needs to have been met. When these needs aren’t met people will get angry, taking to the streets to voice their dissatisfaction. After all, that is one of the lovely things about democracy.

Some police in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, never quite got that memo and opened fire on protesters marching over poor service delivery in the area. Yes, they were burning tyres, yes they blockaded a road, but to open fire with live ammunition beggars belief.

Caught in the melee was 15-year-old Lucas Lebyane who was killed, with another boy being shot in the leg. This quote from Casteel Youth Forum spokesperson Thabiso Mahlakoane, courtesy of News24:

We are disappointed with our police because the two boys were never a threat to them and they were not carrying any weapon, but they chose to use live ammunition instead of rubber bullets, killing one boy.

His crime was to demand what he was promised, which is access to clean water.

Police have opened a murder charge and have not yet confirmed their involvement in Lucas’ death.

It’s as if we have learnt nothing from the tragedy that was Marikana. No one is saying the police have an easy job, especially in our country, but one hopes incidents like this cause some long, hard looks in the mirror because it is simply not acceptable.

[source:news24]