Gallery Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - For three nights since Monday, 25 February, protests against supposed drug dealers have wreaked havoc in KwaNonqaba, Asla Park and Civic Park.
At least 16 structures, presumably used as shops by foreign nationals, were reportedly burnt down by community members.
Formal shops such as the kwanonqaba MALL were forced to close for fear of people's safety. Reports indicate shops were looted before being set alight.
A resident on Wednesday evening contacted the Mossel Bay Advertiser in tears because her baby couldn't breath due to the tear gas that was used. Emergency personnel were being prevented from entering the area.
Police had their hands full, with angry residents who protested specifically against foreign nationals who own shops in the area, saying the shops were a guise for drug dealing. This followed reports that drugs were sold to minor children.
Renewed violence erupted at approximately 20:00 on Wednesday evening, 27 February, when at least three structures were razed in Solomon and Barnard streets. Earlier on Wednesday traffic was disrupted when a crowd of at least 500 marched on the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court to demand the release of two suspects accused of assault. The suspects were arrested after the first round of violence on Monday evening, when six structures were destroyed.
Early on Wednesday, 27 February Mayixhale Road remained closed to traffic as people had gathered at the police station from where they marched to the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court.
About 50 people from the Elangeni community on Tuesday afternoon demanded to speak to the station commissioner of the KwaNonqaba police, Lieut-Col Azisa Madongana.
They demanded to know who laid the charges against the two suspects who were arrested by members of the KwaNonqaba police and the Public Order Policing Unit (POPS). They also wanted to know what the exact charges were.
KwaNonqaba police spokesperson, Sgt Kapp said the investigation into the matter was ongoing and the information the community was demanding could therefore not be divulged.
According to Alfred Mazwi, one of the community leaders, and Xolisa Bada, the brother of one of the accused, the community march was intended to show solidarity for the accused and to hand over a petition to the senior magistrate to ask for the court's leniency.
The case was not placed before court and the accused were therefore released pending further police investigation.
Read previous articles:
- Night of mayhem
- Latest march update
- Community members marching to court
- Workers intimidated
- Update: Community demand release of 2 people
- Community demand release of 2 people
- Inwoners ruk op na KwaNonqaba polisiestasie
- Drug dens targeted
- Community fed up with criminality
On Wednesday traffic was disrupted when a crowd of at least 500 marched on the Mossel Bay Magistrate's Court to demand the release of two suspects accused of assault.
'We bring you the latest Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'
