VIDEO: Durban artists arrested in N3 protest appear in Pinetown Magistrate’s Court
The 32 artists were arrested for staging a protest on the N3 last week.
DOZENS of people within the creative industry gathered outside the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday as 32 artists, who are facing charges of illegal gatherings and contravening road traffic and disaster management laws, made their first appearance.
ALSO READ: Mayor condemns N3 freeway blockage by local artists
The artists, who were released on a R1 000 bail, were arrested for staging a protest on the N3 last week.
Supporters sang outside the courtroom intensifying their call for the government to amend regulations to allow venues to accommodate more people.
Sabelo Ngema, KZN chairman of the South African Artist and Youth Forum, an organisation which supports young and upcoming artists, said they are pleading with the government to open up events.
Ngema said it is not only musicians who gain from events, it is also security guards at the gate, catering companies and many others.
ALSO READ: eThekwini mayor urges Transnat to resolve impasse with bus drivers
“The president has opened up so many things in the country, regulations can be put in place. There are so many families who are not getting a cent, it is unfair,” he said.
Ngema said that they are fighting for artists all over the country not just KZN, adding that staging the protest on the N3 was the only way to get the government to take them seriously.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
Dear reader, As your local news provider, we have the duty of keeping you factually informed on Covid-19 developments. As you may have noticed, mis- and disinformation (also known as “fake news”) is circulating online. Caxton Local Media is determined to filter through the masses of information doing the rounds and to separate truth from untruth in order to keep you adequately informed. Local newsrooms follow a strict pre-publication fact-checking protocol. A national task team has been established to assist in bringing you credible news reports on Covid-19. Readers with any comments or queries may contact National Group Editor Irma Green (irma@caxton.co.za) or Legal Adviser Helene Eloff (helene@caxton.co.za). At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via Telegram? Send us a Telegram message (not an SMS) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409. You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
