Protesters released after protest
The Tembisa Magistrate's Court released the 24 suspects arrested during an illegal strike took place in Phomolong and Birch Acres on Friday last week.
All the arrested suspects, who spent three days in the police cells at the Ivory SAPS and Tembisa North SAPS, were released without bail.
They are expected to appear in the Tembisa Magistrate’s Court on September 10.
The suspects were arrested after police officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets at the crowd of protesting residents.
It is believed that three residents, including a 10-year-old boy, were badly injured during the protest.
The EMPD‘s Chief Superintendent Wilfred Kgasago confirmed that no one was killed during the protest.
Some of the suspects released on Monday poured their hearts about the arrests.
Mr Phuthi Komape (24), said he was arrested while he was at a friend’s house.
“They found me with my friends sitting inside the house. They asked us to open our hands. Suddenly, I was being beaten. I was thrown into a police van like an unwanted, dead rat. I am not happy with how the police approached and arrested us,” he said.
He added that he was told to keep quiet after was assaulted.
“I still have injuries from the assault. On arriving at the station, we were told by the officers, who I think came from Springs and Boksburg, to give them R5 000 cash if we wanted to see ourselves out of jail,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ms Kgabo Sharon Mathibela (21), said she was arrested in the yard of her friend on Friday last week.
“I was also beaten up by the police for no reason. The police involved everyone who was running away from the smoke of the tear gas, including children. It is unfair to those who had no part of the strike,” she said.
“Next year I am supposed to be registering at a tertiary institution to further my studies, but I am unsure if I will be accepted with a criminal record. I feel my future is already destroyed by the police who arrested innocent people,” she said.
Mr Matome Molokomme said that his shack was damaged when the police fired rubber bullets.
“My shack door is broken. The smoke from the tear gas affected us badly and I still suffering from it. I was arrested because I ran away from the tear gas,” he said.
