Police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says this as these nine suspects, aged 19 to 41, on Thursday 24 October appeared in court and were all remanded in custody. 

Mokgwabone says they are accused of public violence and the contravention of the Road Traffic Act, 1996. A 19-year-old is part of the Anti-gang Committee that stands accused of kidnapping, assault and murder, amongst other charges, while the other eight are accused of pelting motorists with stones on the N12 road on Tuesday night. 

The town has been shut down completely with schools and businesses severely affected by the protests by residents who are demanding the release of some of the Anti-gang Committee members who were arrested two weeks ago.

Meanwhile,the ninth suspect who was granted bail for public violence, has been charged with incitement to commit public violence and arson after being nabbed at the local Community HealthCentre where he allegedly intimidated and forced employees to close the centre. He and two other suspects, aged 19 and 35, are expected to appear at the same court after they were arrested on Wednesday 23 October 2019 for public violence. 

The arrests bring the total number to 11 suspects apprehended since Tuesday 22 October. “The police noted with concern that there are individuals who threaten workers, including government employees, not to go to work,” he adds. Mokgwabone further says in one of the incidents, an Emergency Medical and Rescue Services (EMRS) employee was on Thursday threatened with violence.

“The community is once more urged to refrain from sharing, through social media platforms, intimidating and misleading messages as they cause unnecessary tension. We would like to indicate clearly that the police will not hesitate to take action against anyone who directly or indirectly incites, intimidates or engages in any prohibited conduct,” he adds.

OFMNews