WATCH: Barberton protesters demand the release of their comrades
The protesters vowed to intensify their campaign until all their demands were met.
BARBERTON – After the week-long protests in the area, the Umjindi Community Forum (UCF), led by Shugulugu Mkhonto, the police have effected 17 arrests.
Yesterday morning a contingent of protesters marched along General Street to the Barberton Magistrate’s Court, demanding the release of their comrades.
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According to the Mkhonto, the police who were deployed to monitor the civil unrest plaguing the area, should focus their attention on arresting looters and criminals instead of citizens fighting for a worthy cause.
“The police cannot differentiate between thugs robbing the foreign-owned shops and protesters striking for a genuine cause.
“We are not gangsters. Go and arrest those who have been looting and conducting themselves in a criminal way,” he said.
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Subsequent to the meeting, 11 of the arrested protesters were granted bail while bail was denied to the remaining six.
Mkhonto added that protest action would intensify until their demands were met.
“The struggle will continue until the deputy president, David Mabuza, addresses our concerns. The cadres he has deployed have not done anything to resolve the issues we are faced with,” he concluded.
