Twenty-one suspects from Tshitale, who were arrested for public violence, arson and malicious damaged to property, were given bail in the Tshitale Magistrate's Court last Wednesday.
The residents of Mashamba, Nthabalala, Mulima and Muila recently went on the rampage, demanding that roads must be constructed in the area. Two schools, Vari Primary and Denga Secondary, were torched in Nthabalala a fortnight ago and a post office, three vehicles and an office of the Department of Water Affairs were also damaged during the protests.
The residents around the area blocked the road and no schooling took place from 11 January until 23 January. Twenty-one community members were given bail of R500 each and two suspects still remain in custody after they were denied bail. Their case was postponed to 3 February (today) to apply for bail.
Eighteen residents from seven villages in the Nzhelele area who barricaded the R523 between Wylliespoort and Sibasa with burning tyres and rocks, demanding that the Matsa gravel road be tarred and who were arrested by the Mphephu police, also appeared last Wednesday in the Magistrate's Court at Mphephu. They were released on bail of R500 each and will appear again on 15 March. They were charged with malicious damaged to property.