Do not use violence to solve problems but rather lawful avenues to solve differences. This was KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni’s rationale when responding to the arrests police made during the service delivery protests in Mimosadale last week.
Four suspects aged between 18 and 30-years-old were arrested and charged with public violence when the protests turned violent on Saturday, February 21. Police spokesperson Colonel Jay Naicker said that the suspects were arrested during the protest, which was deemed ‘illegal’.
“A group of about 100 people were protesting; complaining about service delivery in the area. “They blocked the roads with burning tyres and stones, preventing motorists from using the road. The police were called to attend and dispersed them. During the process, the suspects were arrested and charged for public violence.”
On Monday, February 23 protestors in Mimosadale blocked part of the R103 with stones, demanding that they receive running water. Residents from the Ntabamhlophe area also blocked off roads with burning tyres and stones on February 23 and police were called to monitor the situation. No one was arrested.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel TM Mabaso said that both mayors, Bongani Dlamini (Umtshezi) and Dudu Mazibuko (Uthukela District) addressed the protestors and a short term agreement was reached. Although the situation was tense Lt Col Mabaso said: “Police were monitoring the area and are continuing to do so in case violence breaks out again.”
The arrested suspects appeared in the Estcourt Magistrates Court on February 23 and were released on a warning. The case was remanded to Monday, March 2 for further investigation.
