Two of the three suspects arrested in connection with the public violence that erupted in Phalaborwa on Wednesday night 01 November 2023, have made their first court appearance on Friday 17 November 2023 in the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court. They were each granted bail amount of R2000-00.
The duo Peter Mokgalaka, (45), and Dikgoshi Abby Mohale, (47), are facing charges that include malicious damage to property, common robbery and public violence. The matter was postponed to 31 January 2024 for further police investigations.
The third suspect aged 37 will appear in the same court on Monday 20 November.
The arrest of the suspects emanates from an incident in which a group of community members calling themselves Ba-Phalaborwa allegedly went on a rampage, blocked and barricaded the main roads with stones and burning tyres. During the protest, two trucks were torched resulting in the damage of at least R2 million.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has strongly condemned the outrageous behaviour of lawlessness displayed in this incident. “We are a country with laws and we cannot allow our country to be subjected to this kind of criminal behaviour. The investigators must do a thorough job to ensure justice prevails.
