SUBJECT to several conditions, the 45 Mandlazini community members charged with public violence, arson and malicious damage to property, were released on R500 bail last week.
The accused, charged in two separate cases, made formal bail applications on Thursday and Friday in the Richards Bay Magistrate’s Court where hundreds of community supporters gathered. A strong police contingent monitored the area.
Warned to behave while out on bail, the suspects must comply with the conditions of reporting to the Richards Bay police station twice a week, not interfere with the movement of the public, intimidate or incite or stage public gatherings without permission.
The protestors were arrested at different times after illegally gathering with intent to disturb the peace and were charged separately, but all face a common charge of public violence.
The court heard how police had to intervene after violence erupted in Mandlazini on 6 May as residents gathered unlawfully armed with weapons, burnt tyres in the road and torched the Mandlazini community hall.
