Flags waved and banners burned as Operation Dudula members sang and danced behind steel barriers.
The leader of the movement which demands the prioritisation of the interests of South Africans appeared in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court for his bail application on March 28. Nhlanhla ‘Lux’ Dlamini was arrested on Thursday, March 24, after allegedly orchestrating the raid of a Dobsonville man’s home in which his organisation believed drugs were being sold.
Read previous article here: Operation Dudula members protest outside Roodepoort Magistrates Court for the release of their leader
Anticipating possible clashes with political opponents whom Operation Dudula believes are behind Dlamini’s arrest, the court precinct was surrounded by a large police presence as all roads leading to the court were barricaded with steel mesh fencing. The Operation Dudula supporters gathered at the barricade set up at the corner of Meyer and Dieperink Streets where they chanted messages of support for their leader and their shared mission.
No counter-protesters were in sight, ensuring that the threat of any escalation remained minimal. The mood turned celebratory as the supporters rejoiced at being told that Dlamini would soon be released from custody. Facing two charges, one for housebreaking and another for malicious damage to property, Dlamini was granted bail of R1 500.
The State did no oppose the accused’s application for the Schedule one charges and will now compile outstanding witness statements before the next date. Further conditions of Dlamini’s bail were that he has no contact with the man whose home he is accused of having ransacked, and he must surrender his passport by this afternoon. Dlamini is next scheduled to appear on May 27.
