SANDF member arrested for public violence in Phalaborwa

By Thandi Mathebula

A 53-year-old member of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is one of seven (7) suspects arrested for public violence that broke out in Phalaborwa, Namakgale and Lulekani on Friday 09 April 2021.

The town of Phalaborwa was nearly deserted when the R71, R40 and other side roads were blocked by demonstrators using tree branches and burning tires.

The violent demonstrations severely disrupted the peace in the affected areas, as children could not go to school, people could not go to work and shops were closed.

The Limpopo police said that other members of the police needed to be deployed to suppress the violence.

“The suspects, aged 23-53, were arrested during targeted raids that took place at specific locations. They will appear before the Namakgale Magistrate’s court tomorrow, Thursday, April 15, 2021.

“The first to be arrested were two suspects, Peter Malatji (50) and a 35-year-old woman, Mavis Malatji, on Monday, April 12, 2021.

“They have appeared in Namakgale Magistrate’s court today and the woman collapsed in court soon after they were remanded in custody and had to be rushed to hospital where she has been admitted under police guard.

“The two will return to the same court on April 20, 2021. Further arrests are pending,” added Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo.

The Police Commissioner of Limpopo Province, Lieutenant-General Nneke Ledwaba, commended the members for tirelessly tracking down the suspects and bringing them behind bars.