Six in court in the aftermath of chaotic protest

An uneasy calm has returned to Bela-Bela following a protest march which culminated in downtown business activity grinding to a complete halt.

Several hundred protestors descended on the town on Thursday 12 March, to press home a host of demands, among them the resignation of Mayor Jeremiah Ngobeni and municipal manager Michel Makhubela.

All hell broke loose after the police, backed by members of the Public Order Policing units from Modimolle and Mokopane, ordered the protesters to disperse from the forefront of the municipal headquarters.

In response, some of the protesters went on the rampage, overturning an industrial mass refuse bin opposite the SuperSpar complex.

Earlier in the day, during attempts by Ngobeni to address the protesters, a man was seen emptying a flammable liquid onto the surface of the road nearby.

The protester then threw a burning match stick onto the substance, sending many protesters scurrying for cover.

In the background the police used a loudhailer, calling on the protesters to disperse.

At least one injured victim was carried by others to the nearby health clinic.

An ambulance was summoned after health workers attended to a bleeding wound behind Tshepo Simelane’s ear.

Simelane said he was unfortunate to be caught up in the crossfire, as he was not part of the protest.

Six suspects were arrested and are expected to appear before the Bela-Bela Magistrate’s Court on Monday 20 April on charges of public violence, malicious damage to property and inciting others into acts of violence.

Police spokesperson Sgt Frans Maponya said Katlego Molekoa (31), David Monare (19), Piet Nkadimeng (27), William Makhubela (20), Tumelo Sebola (19) and John Mokhonoana (30) were released on warning by the court on Monday 16 March.

— The BEAT