BETHAL – Residents have raised concerns over the amount of bail given to the community members who were arrested for public violence.
They are of the opinion that most of the residents could not afford the bail and the court was unfair to have asked the amount.
The 35 members of the community appeared before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court for public violence on Thursday, 22 August.
They were granted R1 500 bail and they will again appear in court on Thursday, 5 September.
Six of the nine alleged gangsters also appeared before the Bethal Magistrate’s Court on same day.
Five of them were granted R1 500 bail and one was kept in custody for verification of address.
Two minors were placed under parental supervision.
One of the suspects was not linked to the gangs and was released after a preliminary investigation.
They were charged with grievous bodily harm, malicious damage to property and house breaking.
The matter of the five suspects was postponed to 10 September and the one who remained in custody appeared on 26 August.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/144429/residents-take-stand-gangs-emzinoni-turns-war-zone/
Mr Sizwe Mbatha, a resident, said they will do everything in their power to raise the bail money needed for them.
“We are calling on the community to donate money so that we can help our brothers.”
There was a heavy police presence during the court appearance after the recent violence in the area.
Residents were up in arms over the alleged gangsters who are terrorising the community.
The situation was volatile and angry protesters attempted to torch the police station due to their dissatisfaction with the police.
Police arrested about 10 residents for inciting violence in the area on Wednesday, 22 August.
They were caught allegedly hailing and mobilising people to protest in the area.
They are expected to appear in court soon.
https://www.citizen.co.za/ridge-times/144471/alleged-gangsters-community-members-released-bail/
