Hlobane March and March leaders granted bail after shop operation

Three leaders of the March and March organisation appeared in the Driefontein Magistrate’s Court after being arrested in connection with an operation involving foreign-owned businesses in Hlobane. They are accused of looting shops owned by foreign nationals and pointing a firearm at the shop owners.

The three members were denied bail on Monday last week. The case returned to court on Wednesday (July 15), where supporters, organisation members and community members gathered to show their support during the court proceedings.

The three accused were granted bail and released.

They are expected to appear in the Vryheid Magistrate’s Court on August 5.

Operation sparked by community complaints

The arrests followed an operation conducted by the organisation in Hlobane after community members raised concerns that children had allegedly become ill after buying snacks from foreign-owned shops.

During the operation, the foreign shop owners were reportedly instructed to remove their stock and close the containers from which they were trading. After the incident, the foreign nationals opened a case with the police, which led to the arrest of the three organisation leaders.

Organisation denies allegations

Speaking to Makhiwa TV, organisation member Mduduzi Buthelezi denied the allegations against the leaders.

“The crimes that the leaders are implicated in are not true, and we are witnesses to what happened during the operation.

“There was no looting, and no container was taken by the leaders.

“The allegations of pointing a firearm are also false. Yes, they legally own firearms, but they have never used them during these operations. They may carry them, but they are never taken out or used. We thank the community for showing support to our leaders. Now that they have been released, we will discuss the way forward, but we will continue with these operations.”

Residents reiterate opposition to foreign-owned shops

Residents from Coronation, Inkongolwane and Cliffdale said they do not want foreign nationals operating businesses in their communities.

Community member Mr Ntshangase told the Hlobane SAPS station commander that residents want foreign-owned businesses to leave the area.

“As residents of these areas, we do not want to see them operating or living in our communities. Their time to leave South Africa has already come and gone. We have several reasons for this. One is that they sell snacks that could potentially harm our children, and there are also concerns about substances being sold. These individuals had already left and then returned. We were told that SAPS members gave them permission to come back and continue operating. We want to know which officer gave them that authority.”

Community insists operation was peaceful

Ntshangase further claimed that the operation had been peaceful.

“During the operation, there were no arguments. We asked them peacefully to remove their stock and close their businesses. We were surprised when the foreign nationals opened a case alleging that groceries and toiletries had been stolen. We were there and no such thing happened. We still maintain that we do not want them in our communities. They need to leave peacefully.”

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.