11 people in court for setting Limpopo mine offices alight
The suspects were denied bail and their cases were postponed to 9 March.
A male suspect managed to escape while the female suspect was apprehended and handed over to the police for further investigations. Picture: iStock
Eleven people have appeared in court following an attack at the Palabora Mining Company in Phalaborwa, Limpopo.
They were apprehended on Friday night following violent protests in the area, police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said.
“Community members went on the rampage and torched the offices of the mine and a motor vehicle. Afterwards, the suspects continued to vandalise the main gate and took some valuable items, such as computers,” Mojapelo said.
“It is alleged that the protestors were complaining about existing employment and business opportunities that are being given to ‘outsiders’ instead of the Ba-Phalaborwa residents,” he added.
The police and members of the Public Order Policing unit managed to disperse the crowd and arrested 11 people.
The suspects, aged 25 to 40, appeared in the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
“The suspects were denied bail and their cases were postponed to Tuesday, 9 March for bail applications and further police investigations,” Mojapelo said.
“More arrests may be made during the investigations,” Mojapelo added.
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