Malatji in court for violence
Police have arrested the chairperson of the BaPhalaborwa Concerned Members (BPCM), Edwin Malatji, on charges of malicious damage to property after three trucks were set ablaze during a protest on November 1.
Two more suspects appeared with Malatji before the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday, November 20. The case was remanded to Thursday, November 23 for a formal bail application. He is also charged with common robbery and public violence. Malatji’s co-accused, Peter Mokgalaka (45) and Dikgoshi Abby Mohale (47), appeared on the same charges but were granted bail of R2000 each on Friday, November 17.
It is alleged that the protest on November 1 escalated after BPCM, a civil rights group, was not pleased with the outcome of a stakeholders meeting held at Sefapane Lodge . A group of community members went on a rampage and blocked and barricaded the main roads with rocks and burning tyres. Malatji has denied any involvement with the violence.
Also read: Phalaborwa residents set three trucks ablaze
For months the group has been calling and protesting to have the Ba-Phalaborwa Community Forum (BCF) and Mayor Merriam Malatji of the Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality removed. They have publicly stated their lack of confidence in the two parties and other stakeholders. “We have been protesting for months and it has never been violent, at the time of trucks burning I was at home,” he told the Herald.
On Monday during his court appearance, supporters gathered outside the court to show their support for Malatji and the other accused. Grant Wilson of City Logistics, the company that owns one of the trucks that was set alight, told the Herald the incident was a senseless act. He said the truck was brand-new and cost R1.4 million. “We are disappointed by what happened as it does not just affect the business it also affects the staff as we now have a driver and delivery team that are not able to work as the vehicle has been destroyed through a senseless act.
Also read: Ba-Phalaborwa Concerned Members continues with its protest
This kind of civil unrest and senseless destruction of property does not get the required results; it only results in those responsible being considered criminals by the authorities.” The provincial commissioner of police, Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has condemned the lawlessness of the incident. “We cannot allow our country to be subjected to this kind of behaviour,” she said.
