UPDATE: IFP leaders appear in court for attempted murder following #VryheidViolentProtests
Despite fears that the court appearance may incite another violent outbreak, the small group of IFP supporters that gathered outside the court in the morning conducted themselves in a peaceful manner.
Three IFP leaders and a bodyguard made their first court appearance at the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges of attempted murder following a shooting that took place during the violent protests in Vryheid last week.
Despite fears that the court appearance may incite another violent outbreak, the small group of IFP supporters that gathered outside the court in the morning conducted themselves in a peaceful manner. Heavy police presence ensured that the group did not interfere with the normal running of the court and no incidents took place.
ALSO READ: A STORY IN PICTURES: Scenes From The Mass Protest In Vryheid
AbaQulusi IFP councillors, Sakhayedwa Siyaya and Absalom Mbatha, IFP constituency secretary, Emmanuel Danisa, and Cllr Siyaya’s bodyguard, Sakhile Mncwango, were each granted R2 000 bail for what is being regarded by the state prosecutor as a schedule one offence.
During their brief appearance in A court, it was confirmed that all four accused had handed themselves over to the police without resistance, they were able to provide fixed addresses, had no previous convictions or pending cases, and they had handed over their firearms for ballistics testing.
The case was postponed to March 25 for further investigation.
ALSO READ: UPDATE (VIDEO): Two IFP Councillors Arrested Following Violent Protests In Vryheid
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