MAKHADO – The local manager of Mapogo a Mathamaga, Mrs Lucy Tsholo, reacted this week on the sentencing of three security officials of her organisation, on charges of assault and murder and the subsequent photo and news report, which appeared in Makhado Mirror.

Mrs Tsholo said in an interview the photo that appeared with the news report, was taken at the court on Wednesday, while she was merely attending the hearing. She delivered her testimony in the case on the previous day.

"As manager I understand their circumstances and I feel sorry for the group who was sentenced, but I did not give them instructions to kill. I feel it was a mistake to publish my photo with the news report, because I did not send them to kill," she said.

Mrs Tsholo said she received the report about the incident on March 13, 2002 at about 05:30 in the morning and arrived at the Musina police station at approximately 07:00. The police instructed her not to have any contact with the men until they have given their statements to the police. She collected the Mapogo uniforms from the police and then visited the farm where the incident took place and met the people there.

"I explained to them that I had no part in any violence. They understood. They insisted that they want further security, but also insisted that the officials should not be dangerous or violent."

After two days the investigating officer informed her that the men could be visited.

"I went there and asked them what happened. They said they were attacked. I then arranged a lawyer and bail. Only after their release they came with different stories to the office. I then told them consult their own lawyers.

"Our company would assist them in any consequences of their official duties, but could not get involved in the consequences of their personal actions." She confirmed that the person who according to the evidence in court initiated the violence, was in fact off duty at the time and that the rest should have controlled him.

"They should have arrested him."

She said her message to all employees is that they should respect their work when they are on duty and at all times to act in a responsible way. They should not allow their personal matters to interfere with their official instructions from the company.

"Our security staff has instructions to behave like any other responsible security official. They must not take the law in their own hands."