UPDATE: Machadodorp protests come to a halt

UPDATE: According to police spokesman Col Mtsholi Bhembe, the police disperresed the protesters this morning.

“To my knowledge the road between Machadodorp and Carolina has now been cleared and the protesters were controlled by the police,” Bhembe said.

He added that the police are still on the scene and monitoring the situation. He also once again pleaded with the community to stop using violence.

Six people were arrested on Friday as a result of these protests and they will be appearing in court today.

Lowvelder will monitor the situation and keep you updated.

SEPTEMBER 14

The alleged assualters Bruce Botha and Wayne Swart were released on R500 bail each at the Belfast court this morning.

According to police spokesman Brig Leonard Hlati, the community protests were continuing in front of the court this morning where they damaged the palisade fencing as well as two police vehicles.

No arrests have been made.

The protesters then made their way back to Machadodorp where they burned a truck at the N4 entrance to the town.

ALSO READ: The real story behind the alleged racist attacks in Machadodorp

According to TRAC N4 spokesman Solange Soares-Nicholson, they are busy clearing the road. “There is a stop-and-go at the moment, but the road is not completely blocked,” she said.

Hlati called on the community to stop the violence. “The public must remember that bail is not a punishment but a security to get the suspects back to court. Bail does not finalise the strength of the case,” he said.

Botha and Swart are scheduled to appear in court again on September 28.

Lowvelder will keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.

ALSO READ: VIDEO: Police explain current violent situation in Machadodorp