M4 #FuelPriceMustFall protester arrested and charged

DURBAN North police have confirmed that a member of this morning’s People Against Petrol and Paraffin Increases (PAPPI) #FuelMustFall protest on the M4 has been arrested and charged.

Captain Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the station could not give details about the incident, which was recorded on video and shared widely on social media, but insisted an investigation would be carried out. He added the protest by the members was illegal as no permission or permits were sought from Metro Police or the eThekwini Municipality.

The protest on the M4 Ruth First Highway comes on the back of news from the Automobile Association (AA) that motorists were facing a ‘catastrophic’ fuel price increase in October.

“We have opened a case of public violence against the member of the protest. We will now let the law take its course,” Deokaran said.

In other news: Armed robbers target Durban North home

However, Rynel Govender, spokesman for PAPPI, said the organisation disputed the charges. The organisation had, earlier this week, warned of a ‘total shutdown’ on Friday as a way of protesting the rising cost of fuel.

“We have a video disputing what the police have alleged. Our peaceful protest this morning was a way of showing that we are fed-up and frustrated with the increasingly excessive fuel hikes. We had originally planned on holding our protest on the N2/N3 split at Spaghetti Junction, however, protesters, not affiliated with our movement, had mobbed the area burning tyres.

“We don’t abide by violent behaviour and decided to move our protest to the M4 when the incident occurred.  At this point the police have not released our member, who is a pastor. We had also taken our protest to the Durban North police station to insist on his release,” he said.

Read also: Another smash-and-grab on M41 off-ramp

According to Govender, the protest was welcomed by motorists on the southbound carriageway who showed their solidarity with the protesters.

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