Central SA
NW arson case in court─── LUCKY NKUYANE 17:11 Wed, 22 Jul 2020
The 17 alleged arsonists who stormed the building of the North West Economic Development Department and set alight two offices, have been remanded in custody.
They appeared in the Mmabatho Magistrate's Court on Wednesday to face charges of arson, with the Hawks provincial spokesperson, Tlangelani Rikhotso, telling OFM News the matter has been postponed to 28 July for a formal bail hearing.
These 17 suspects were arrested by the Hawks in Ramosadi Village in Mmabatho on Tuesday, a day after the arson was committed. It's alleged that the group stormed the building and demanded to see the head of the department over alleged tender irregularities.
The provincial department has however brushed off these claims and says any irregularities should be reported to the police.
The departmental spokesperson, Dumisa Seshabela, told OFM News that she is not sure what could have led to the arson, and states that in terms of tender allegations, the country has good systems to deal with complaints of tender irregularities and if this were the case, it should have been reported to the police.
OFM News
