Two people die in Caledon protest 'instigated by political parties'

The police watchdog will investigate conflicting reports about two deaths in a protest on Thursday in the Western Cape farming town of Caledon.

Community safety MEC Alan Winde said that although initial reports suggested the protesters were shot by police, reports from police and officials on the scene said they might have died as a result of a stampede after police used stun grenades to disperse a large crowd. Winde said there were allegations that political parties had instigated the protests, "putting lives on the line and using children".

Moses Dlamini, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) spokesperson, said their investigators were on their way to Caledon and would make preliminary inquiries.

"At this stage, we hear conflicting reports so can't confirm anything before our investigators give us reports," said Dlamini.

He said two people died and one was injured but he could not confirm whether they died as a result of the stampede. The police referred TimesLIVE to Ipid.

Videos showed a large crowd of protesters wielding municipal dustbins, sticks, tyres and branches. 

Winde said he believed the protest was about land and housing. He said Theewaterskloof municipality had granted permission for a protest to take place on April 9 but that Thursday's protest was illegal.

"I am angered by reports of two deaths and one injury as a result of protest action which took place in Caledon this morning. My thoughts are with the families of the victims in this devastating time," said Winde.

"It is alleged that there are political parties who are at the forefront of these protests. These parties are willing to put lives on the line to advance their agendas. I see from video footage that these instigators are using children.

"We all have a right to protest and have processes to have our voices heard. Illegal action such as this puts the community and SAPS in direct confrontation. It also takes rights away from law-abiding citizens and has a huge effect on jobs," he said.

"Our politics has become so dirty and degraded so as to cost lives. Humans are being used as cannon fodder to get seats in parliament, and this must stop. Through the police, and through society, we need to send a clear signal that this will not be tolerated."