The Thohoyandou Magistrate' Court was filled to capacity on Monday, during the court appearance of three community leaders allegedly linked to the recent violent protests in Vuwani.
Arnold Mulaudzi, Nsovo Sambo and Khathutshelo Tshidumo, who are the latest to be arrested, had their bail application postponed to Friday (today). They are associated with the Pro-Makhado Task team. The three looked relaxed during their appearance, with Tshidumo and Mulaudzi wearing shirts with the words 100% Makhado printed on them.
The state asked for bail information and also time to profile the suspects.
The trio was arrested last week on charges of public violence, malicious damage to property and incitement. They first appeared in the same court last Friday. The latest arrests bring the total to more than 30 suspects arrested in connection with the volatile situation in Vuwani, where residents are protesting against their area's being merged with Malamulele to form a new municipality in Vhembe.
Relatives and sympathisers of the suspects could be seen as being visibly angered by the decision of the court in postponing the bail application. Equally disappointed was the defence attorney, Mr Thomas Mathobo of NT Mathobo Attorneys. "This is a delaying tactic on the part of the State and it is impacting negatively on my clients. Profiling could be done here in court," he said.
Meanwhile, more than 50 000 pupils are still in the limbo, with no active schooling taking place in the area. More than 2 000 Grade 12 pupils have not written their half-year examinations.