FIVE men charged with public violence relating to housing protests on the R67 have appeared in the Port Alfred Magistrate’s Court.
The protests by residents of New Rest informal settlement escalated in violence over a period of weeks, starting with blockades of burning refuse and branches in the road and vehicles being stoned. On May 31 live ammunition was fired at police and two policemen were injured by stones and debris being thrown at them.
Public Order Police arrived on the scene and two of the protestors were later arrested for public violence.
On Tuesday three other men handed themselves over to police, bringing the total number of arrests to five.
Police spokesman Captain Mali Govender confirmed the five suspects had appeared in court. The case was postponed and they were released on warning for their next court appearance at a date that has not yet been disclosed.
Earlier report:
EC-Port Alfred: 2017-06-13
Police spokeswoman, Mali Govender, said three suspects – a set of male twins aged 26 and a 22-year-old male, handed themselves over to the Port Alfred SAPS this afternoon. They face charges of Public Violence relating to the Service Delivery Protests that took place on the R67 in past weeks. The suspects will appear in the Port Alfred Magistrates Court soon.
