‘Khoisan king’ arrested for cannabis
“Police arrived yesterday and arrested our king and three others. They confiscated our cannabis, and pulled out all our cannabis plants.”
King Khoisan SA and three clan members, who have been protesting outside the Union Building since 2018, were arrested on drug-related charges yesterday.
They were arrested for the possession of, and dealing in, cannabis.
Khoisan SA and the clan members were due to appear in the local magistrate’s court on Thursday to apply for bail.
“Our case has not yet been heard but we expect that bail might not be granted because the king doesn’t have a permanent address,” said Keith Duarte, also known as Chief !Xam, who was present at court and represented the entourage.
Duarte said using cannabis for medicinal purposes was part of their culture.
Khoisan SA represents “Boesmans, Khoisan, Khoi-Khoi, San, Griekwas and Namas, who were the first people living in South Africa”, Duarte said.
According to Peter Paul Lucas, a Khoisan chief, the group of illegal occupants settled in the gardens on November 30, 2018, to claim that their language, Khowkhowaab, be recognised as an official language and to give heed to their land claims.
Except for Lucas, who was “keeping the fort,” the kraal which had been erected at the Union Buildings where Khoisan SA was staying was deserted while everyone attended court.
Lucas said certain political parties wanted to “get rid of them there”.
“Police arrived yesterday and arrested our king and three others. They confiscated our cannabis and pulled out all our cannabis plants.”
Lucas said he was 82 years old and originally from Alexander Township in Johannesburg.
“The use of cannabis for medicinal qualities is part of our culture. We have been treating people here with cannabis for arthritis, sugar, high blood, epilepsy, anxiety and depression.
“We will be informed by our legal representative how to proceed with the matter.”
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