The police in Limpopo have arrested a total of 23 suspects, aged between 23 and 55, for incidents of public violence that have engulfed the areas of Mecklenburg, Modjadjiskloof and Zebediela in the recent past.
Community members in these affected areas went on rampage, allegedly protesting against poor service delivery. The protesters used debris, stones, trees and burning tyres to barricade public roads and also damaged properties.
The suspects were arrested as follows. Mecklenburg 9 suspects were arrested, Zebediela 5 suspects were arrested, Modjadjiskloof at Mooketsi along the R81 road between Polokwane and Giyani 9 suspects were arrested.
The suspects arrested in Modjadjieskloof, will appear before the Bolobedu Magistrate Court today, 13 April 2018, on charges of public violence, malicious damage to property, armed robbery and possession of suspected stolen properties.
The Mecklenburg suspects have appeared before the Mecklenburg Periodical Court on a case of public violence and they were each given R1000-00 bail and their cases were postponed to 09 July 2018 for further Police investigations.
The Zebediela suspects will still appear before the Magatle Magistrate Court today on cases of public violence.
The Provincial Commissioner, Lt. General Nneke Ledwaba has strongly condemned these violent protests.
Members of the community are urged to process their complaints to relevant Authorities procedurally and legally rather than engaging into illegal and violent protests including damaging roads, damaging the passing cars and properties.
“It is believed that criminal elements are hiding behind these protests to carry out their criminal acts which is totally uncalled for and we are going to leave no stone unturned until all perpetrators of these crimes are brought to book,” concluded Lt General Ledwaba.
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