MATAFFIN – Community members of Mataffin who were arrested for their participation
in a protest that took place during the development stages of what is now Mbombela Stadium, want answers about the merits of their case.
According to the community’s representatives, Mr Imman Milanzi, Ms Lucy Mkhatshwa and Ms Flanky Sigauke, they want their legal representative at the time, Adv Silungu Thobela of Thobela Attorneys, to explain what happened to the case they opened against the state
and the money they paid him for legal representation.
Thobela explained his involvement in representing the accused to Mpumalanga News and invited the community members to meet with him to clarify any unclear aspects.
In August 2009 the community members were arrested for taking part in a protest. Stones were thrown at police and a vehicle was set on fire. Shots were fired by the police into the crowd. More than 100 community members were arrested.
Mkhatshwa is one of the many victims who was injured and arrested at her home.
“On that day I was at my home, wearing pyjamas I heard a noise coming from the gates and when I opened the door to see what was happening, I was shot by police in my hand and leg. Neighbours took me to Rob Ferreira Hospital where I met other members of the community who were injured. After being attended to we were told all patients from the strike at Mataffin would be ferried to the station where we spent three days in the cells,” explained Mkhatshwa. Milanzi added he had been detained in a cell together with more than 90 young men
from the community.
Thobela confirmed that he had been involved in the criminal case where he had assisted arrested members of Mataffin to be released on R300 bail each. “Because they did not have money to pay me I kept their bail receipts and I represented them in court until the criminal case was finalised. There is no lawyer who will charge you as little as R300, this was just a kind gesture from my side. From there I advised them to issue a summons against
the minister of police for unlawful arrest and detention. The matter is still pending in court even as we speak,” he said.
Thobela urged the community to make arrangements to meet with him in his office. “They know where my offices are and I report to the Law Society of the Northern Province. There is nothing to hide here, I can’t compromise my future for R300. I understand the people’s frustration with the minister of police but I have matters which backdate as far as 2008 to attend to. My conscience does not allow me to chow people’s money.”
