Leonard Mtsweni (39), Gugu Mtsweni (26), Salome Letsoalo (35), Joseph Dibiloane (50), Vicky Msiza (44), Visit Mnisi (58), Sbusiso Bembe (40), Patricia Mtsweni (26), Elias Skosana (45), Zakhele Mbombi (37) and Lucky Ntuli (24) are facing charges of public violence and contravention of a court order. The court order that was obtained by the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality on September 28, states that workers are not allowed to intimidate, threaten and prevent municipal workers and residents from accessing the municipality premises.

According to the Middelburg Police spokesperson, Sgt Nonhlanhla Mdluli, more than 300 municipal workers arrived at the civic centre in different vehicles, blocking the road and threatening municipality workers who were on duty and intimidating residents. The police tried to talk with the workers and informed them that their gathering was illegal and that they were violating the court order the municipality obtained.

The protesters refused to disperse and became violent, the police arrested 11 of the demonstrators.

They were granted bail of R1000 each and will appear in court on November 2.