Msholozi ward councillor arrested for arson and public violence
Cllr Kenneth Mkhonto is among the five people that appeared at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court facing charges of arson and public violence.
MSHOLOZI – Their appearance comes after they were allegedly forming part of a group of community members who torched a centre that used to serve as an orphanage for destitute children.
The Provincial Commissioner of the police in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Mondli Zuma condemns the violence that erupts during protest action by members of the community in different parts of the province.
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Provincial Commissioner General Zuma warned the community that participating in illegal protest action has dire consequences and may lead to a person serving time in prison, thereby accumulating a criminal record.
Recently two protesters were sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Barberton Regional Court for public violence which was suspended for five years, on condition that they are not found guilty of the same offence again. Even though it is a suspended sentence, it will have a negative impact on the life and future of those people because they are already having a criminal record.
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The five arrested people, Vusi Mamba aged 39, Mfundo Mlimi aged 28, Sipho Ngutshane aged 26, Lucky Sithole aged 40 and Kenneth Mkhonto aged 43, were remanded in custody until Friday, 16 March 2017, pending further investigation.
The Provincial Commissioner urges people to follow the correct procedures before and during any protest action. He also believes that these sentences will serve as a deterrent to other would-be protesters.
