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Burning tyres and other rubble were the order of the day during the protests and there was heavy police presence. They had their hands full trying to control the rowdy crowd.

Bail for Nzhelele protestors

 

The 29 accused in last week's violence in the Nzhelele area appeared in the Dzanani Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and were granted bail with stringent conditions.

The group, who are mostly school-going youths, were charged with public violence and were granted bail of R2 000 each. Their case was postponed to 30 September for further investigations.

Their arrest and subsequent appearance follow violent protests in the area last week (see a report elsewhere in the paper) when residents protested against the release of a man they believed was responsible for the murder of a 16-year-old Nngweni Secondary School pupil last week. They went on the rampage, destroying property and blockading roads with burning tyres and other rubble. They also looted businesses in the area. The violence stopped after the intervention of King Toni Mphephu Ramabulana.

Police have arrested a 15-year-old and they also reportedly found a firearm, supposedly the murder weapon.

At court, a large contingent of police was deployed around the premises during their appearance. Relatives and friends and many community members filled the court and a large group that could not be accommodated stood outside the court. Magistrate Philemon Sengani granted them bail and among the bail conditions are that they should not partake in gatherings and marches. They are not to participate in public violence and must inform the investigating officer of any change of address.

They were also ordered not to make any direct or indirect contact with the complainants and they are to report at the Mphephu police station every Friday between 05:00 and 20:00.

One of the defence team representing some of the accused, Mr Stanley Dombo of Dombo Attorneys in Dzanani, welcomed the granting of bail to his clients. "The court did the right thing by releasing them, so that they can go on with their daily lives. Many of the accused are pupils and exams are fast approaching and they have to prepare for their examinations," he said.

Mr Ronnie Makhado represented the state and Mr Nicholas Mathivha represented some of the accused.

Relatives of the accused arrive at the Dzanani Magistrate's Court.

 

Date:22 August 2016

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

Read: 2027

 

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