Tebogo Msimanga |
Nine suspects, including South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member arrested for Public Violence, appeared before the Namakgale Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 20 April 2021.
Two of nine suspects, Tshepo Malungani aged 53 (SANDF member) and Joe Masilo Mashale aged 48 were granted R1000 bail each due to their previous convictions. Meanwhile, the other seven suspects were granted R750 bail each.
Limpopo Police spokesperson Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said the suspects were arrested after Phalaborwa town was almost deserted when the R71 road, R40 road and other subsidiary roads were blocked by protesters using tree branches, burning tyres and rocks on Friday 09 April 2021.
“The violent protests hugely disrupted tranquillity in the affected areas as children could not go to school, people could not go to work and shops were closed. More police members had to be deployed to quell the violence.”
Their case was postponed to 24 May 2021 for further police investigations.
