TZANEEN: Residents demanded the release of murder suspects
Ngoepe said the situation is calm in the village but the police are monitoring the area.
Residents of Maphalle went on rampage, blockaded the R81 road and pelted passing motorists with stones in protest against the magistrate’s refusal to grant bail to nine murder suspects on Thursday.
The suspects, Evon Rhukanani (43), Masedi Rapatsa (49), Portia Rapatsa (30), Magobani Rapatsa (32), Olly Maluleke (22), Given Machipi (25), Clerence Rikhotso (22), Asnath Rapatsa (55) and an unidentified 19-year-old were arrested following the death of two young men, July Mudau (21) and Tebatso Mogale (27).
The duo were allegedly necklaced by the mob who accused them of terrorising the community and killing a member of Rapatsa family two weeks ago.
When the suspects appeared in the Bolobedu Magistrates Court on Thursday, hundreds of residents from Maphalle protested outside court demanding that the suspects be released on free bail.
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They were denied bail and their case was postponed to this Friday pending further investigation.
The protesters who arrived by taxis and trucks went back home and started a violent protest.
Police spokesperson, Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe said members of the Public Order Policing Unit managed to put the situation under control.
