WATCH: Groblersdal chaos continues – Small group of red berets protest for release of arrested members
Police calls for backup from national structures ahead of next week's bail appearances over alleged assault, dog attack on worker
A small group of EFF protesters are picketing outside the Groblersdal Magistrates Court where four members are expected to appear after being arrested last week.
The four EFF members were arrested after intimidating police, and making threats, ahead of Mr Piet Groenewald and his son Stephan Greeff’s second court appearance in connection with the alleged dog attack on a worker of Mr Groenewald’s Wildlife Protection and Investigation Services.
During the duo’s bail application, the investigating officer in Mr Groenwald and Greef’s assault hearing, confirmed that a number of civilians had been arrested over threats of public unrest.
The SAPS member testified that Groenewald and Greeff should remain in custody due to the threats.
Both Groenewald and Greeff remain behind bars with their bail hearing set to continue this coming Wednesday.
@middelburgobserver Small group of EFF protesters picketing outside Groblersdal Magistrates Court for release of arrested members following alleged dog attack on security guard Groblersdal EFF farmers bail applications
Meanwhile, the Bittereinders member, Francois van der Merwe, who was arrested outside court while protesting Groenewald and Greeff’s release on bail, has also not been released, with his formal bail application set for Thursday next week.
Van der Merwe’s arrest resulted in a charge of assault against SAPS members accused of kicking and beating him during his arrest.
Eyewitnesses say that police members, flanked by two traffic officers, also stomped on Mr Van der Merwe’s head while he was prone on the ground.
Groblersdal church minister Paul Moller is also accusing police of denying Groenewald, Greeff and Van der Merwe, of pastoral services behind bars.
He was told that he would be allowed to see them during visiting hours on Wednesday, but was denied entry when he arrived at the holding cells.
The magistrate presiding over Groenewald and Greeff’s bail application ordered a medical assessment of Mr Groenewald, after he possibly suffered a mild heart attack following his arrest.
Van der Merwe was also taken for medical treatment following his arrest.
Calls for the police and justice minister to intervene with next week’s appearances of Groenewald, Greeff and Van der Merwe has also been made by Groblersdal SAPS.
