Seven arrested following Zaaiplaas recent violent protests granted bail
ZAAIPLAAS – Seven suspects facing two counts of arson, malicious damage to property and assault on police were granted bail when they appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrates Court.
The suspects, George Makua (24), Victor Masango (29), Aaron Mahlangu (36), Sam Makua (50), Joseph Chego (28), January Mtshweni (45) and Sipho Chego (28) were each granted R500 bail and their case was postponed to 19 July 2018.
According to police, the suspects were arrested after incidents of torching of a police van, administration blocks of Leriane Secondary School in Holneck village and Rehlahlilwe Primary School in Keerom and injuring a police officer in the Zaaiplaas area outside Groblersdal recently.
Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe, Limpopo Provincial Police Spokesperson, said the whole impulse erupted after a group of community members from Zaaiplaas started being violent during a service deliver protest action in which the R579 road in the area was barricaded.
Following the violent protests, Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt General Nneke Ledwaba, reiterated his warning that all suspects involved in a spate of violent activity characterized by destruction of property, would be hunted down and brought to book.
The Provincial Commissioner further called on communities intending to protest, to do so within the boundaries of the law.
He added that destroying schools was detrimental to the future of children and it could not be allowed.
Ledwaba concluded that perpetrators of such barbaric acts would meet the full might of the law.
Police investigations and monitoring of the situation continued for weeks in the area following the violent protests which left schooling area disturbed.
