eMZINONI – The protesters intensified their action after the Bethal Magistrate’s Court postponed the case of the 35 residents who were arrested for public violence.
The residents, together with alleged gangsters, appeared in court on Monday, 19 August and their case was postponed to Thursday, 22 August.
Hundreds of residents were seen picketing 500 meters from the court, demanding that the members of the community be released.
Most of the shops and schools in town and in the township were closed.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/144249/emzinoni-no-go-area-today/
Residents vowed to do whatever it takes to deal with gangsterism in the area.
“We gave the police a chance to deal with this matter and they failed dismally.
“Now that we are taking a stand against these gangs, they are arresting us,” said one of the leaders.
The disgruntled residents said they will not be held ransom by the young gangsters.
According to the police, the residents went back to the township after court and many shops were looted.
The police were, however, monitoring the situation.
The violence in the area began on Wednesday, 14 August, when an alleged gang member was murdered by an angry mob.
Police said after the murder, the alleged gangs forcefully entered various homes, assaulted people and vandalised property.
iKhethelo Secondary School was one of the schools the gangs went to and some learners and teachers were victimised.
Most of the schools contacted the parents to fetch their children as armed gangsters roamed the township.
Upon hearing that, men in the community mobilisised themselves and searched for the alleged gangsters.
Hell broke loose and violence was at the order of the day.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/144274/update-bethal-currently-red-zone/
Roads were barricaded with burning tyres and rocks, and residents armed themselves to fight the gangs plaguing the community.
The residents torched a house which allegedly belonged to one of the gangs.
When they heard that the police arrested some of the gang members, they proceeded to picket outside the police station.
The picketing turned violent when residents began to hurl stones at the police station and set alight a certain portion of the station.
Police dispersed the crowds with rubber bullets.
During the commotion, about three locals were allegedly shot and sustained serious injuries.
They were taken to various hospitals and one was transferred to Steve Biko Hospital.
The situation became so tense, that the house of a police officer was burned down by the protesters.
Police urged the community not to take the law into their own hands and invited the community to a mass meeting at Joseph Nhlane Community Hall.
The meeting was chaotic and Brig Sifiso Cele tried to calm the angry residents.
“I am here to hear your concerns.
“Revolting violence will not resolve the problem, it will only worsen it.
“We are here to hear your concerns and to try and find a solution to this.”
Residents were shouting back as he was talking.
“It’s too late for that! The police are corrupt and useless.”
They then began chanting and broke into songs.
The residents said they will not stop the protest until their comrades are out.
